Netherlands to Ban Import of Goods From Israeli Settlements in West Bank Starting September, Senior Diplomat Says

It will be illegal for goods originating from Israeli settlements to be bought, sold or imported. The Netherlands is the third EU member state to ban imports from Israeli settlements, following Spain and Belgium

July 22nd, 00AM July 22nd, 00AM

The Netherlands will ban the import of goods from Israeli settlements starting September 22, a senior Dutch diplomat told Haaretz on Tuesday.

According to the diplomat, the move is intended to bring the Netherlands' trade policy in line with international law, which considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal.

It will be illegal for goods originating from Israeli settlements to be bought, sold or imported. The law will also outlaw the trade services of settlement goods and attempts to circumvent the restrictions.

The diplomat added that the decision was published Tuesday in the Netherlands' official gazette and that the Israeli Embassy was informed before its publication. Diplomatic briefings on the new measures are expected to take place in the Hague, which may influence future international sanctions.

The Netherlands is the third European Union member state to ban imports from Israeli settlements, after Spain and Belgium.

Luxembourg, which, like the Netherlands and Belgium, uses the Port of Rotterdam for exports, is expected to adopt a similar policy soon. Ireland has already passed similar legislation, but it has not yet entered into force and is awaiting approval by President Catherine Connolly.

Last year, it was reported that nine EU member states had sent a letter to the European Commission calling for a halt to trade with Israeli settlements. In the letter addressed to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, foreign ministers urged the commission to develop a plan to sever the EU's trade ties with the settlements to ensure they do not contribute to human rights violations in the West Bank. The letter was signed by Belgium, Spain, Ireland, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Slovenia and Luxembourg.

The European Union is Israel's largest trading partner, with total imports and exports exceeding €42 billion in 2024. It is unclear how much of that trade is connected to Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

In their letter, the foreign ministers cited the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion issued in July 2024, which found that Israel's occupation of the West Bank is unlawful and settlements are illegal. The opinion stated that countries should refrain from trade or investment relationships that help maintain the existing situation in the occupied territories.