The Netherlands imposes import ban on goods from Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories

©Mohammed Ibrahim via Unsplash

Starting September 22, the Netherlands will impose an import ban on goods produced in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories. Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen announced this in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

The measure had already been announced, but the effective date had remained unclear until now. It applies to goods from Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory, including the West Bank. According to the Dutch government, the ban is intended to prevent economic activities from contributing to a situation that violates international law.

The decision is part of a broader sanctions and deterrence policy by The Hague regarding settlement policy. The Netherlands had previously been working on a ban on trade in goods originating from those settlements and submitted the sanctions decision to the Council of State for urgent review. Following publication in the Official Gazette, the sanctions will take effect two months later, making September 22 the logical date resulting from the procedure. Meanwhile, a similar step has also been taken in Belgium. On Friday, the federal government in Belgium reached an agreement on an import ban for goods from illegal Israeli settlements, although it's not yet known exactly when it will take effect.

With this measure, the Dutch government aims to make it clear that trade with settlements is not neutral. At the same time, the question remains as to how strictly such a ban can be enforced in practice, especially since products from the settlements often reach the European market through intermediaries. Critics have already pointed out that enforcement will be difficult. With the ban taking effect on September 22, the Netherlands is taking the next step in its efforts to pressure Israel on its settlement policy. For companies and importers, this means that, as of that date, they will no longer be allowed to bring goods from those areas onto the Dutch market.

©Mohammed Ibrahim via Unsplash - Illustrative image of Gaza.