Updated

Israel has escalated retaliatory measures against Western nations critical of its settlement policies, revoking diplomatic status for Dutch diplomats in response to sanctions targeting illegal West Bank settlements. This move comes as opposition leaders have agreed to cooperate and boost voter turnout in a coordinated effort to secure a parliamentary majority against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the October 27 elections. The diplomatic escalation reflects heightened tensions between Israel and Western allies over settlement expansion in occupied territories, even as Netanyahu faces domestic political pressure ahead of the upcoming elections.