Netherlands enacts ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements
The Dutch government has finalised a decree prohibiting the import, purchase, and sale of goods from unlawful settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, joining Belgium, Spain, and Ireland in unilateral action.
The Dutch government has given final approval to a decree banning the import, purchase, and sale of goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. The measure, which comes into effect on 22 September, prohibits Dutch companies from providing brokering services that facilitate trade with these settlements and applies to Dutch firms operating abroad.
The decision places the Netherlands alongside Belgium, Spain, and the Republic of Ireland as it moves unilaterally on an issue that has stalled at the European Union level. While several member states have pushed for a coordinated regime, divisions among the 27-nation bloc have prevented the implementation of EU-wide sanctions. Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Berendsen told parliament that the trade ban had already been planned, although the specific implementation date is new.
Research released in June by the Global Echo group indicates the Netherlands previously accounted for a third of agricultural exports from Israel’s illegal settlements and nearly half of those destined for the EU. Imports from the settlements consist mainly of agricultural products, including avocados, dates, oranges, grapes, and fresh herbs. The ban also extends to products from the occupied Golan Heights, a region known for wine production.
The Dutch Council of State raised no objection to the policy but flagged doubts regarding its practical enforceability. The government stated it had already weighed these concerns when the measure was first announced two months ago. Annual trade involving the affected territories is estimated to be worth tens of millions of euros, though its exact value remains difficult to determine.
A majority in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch parliament, supported the measures last year. The Dutch government has acknowledged that Israel’s settlements in the West Bank are unlawful under international law and stated the ban reflects its obligation not to contribute to that situation. Far-right politician Geert Wilders denounced the decision on X, stating he was “deeply ashamed” by the move.
