The Dutch government finalized approval of a decree on Tuesday that will prohibit the import, purchase, and sale of goods originating from unlawful Israeli settlements in the Palestinian Territories starting September 22. The measure also makes it illegal for Dutch companies to provide brokering services facilitating such trade, with the regulations applying to Dutch firms operating both domestically and abroad.
The Netherlands’ action follows similar decisions by Belgium, Spain, and the Republic of Ireland. These unilateral steps by individual European Union member states come as the 27-nation bloc remains divided on implementing a coordinated trade restriction. The move reflects growing pressure within the EU to adopt a common response to Israel’s activities in Gaza and the occupied territories.
Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Berendsen informed parliament that while the trade ban had been previously planned, the implementation date represents a new development. The Dutch Council of State did not object to the policy, though it raised concerns about practical enforceability, which the government stated it had already evaluated when the measure was first announced two months ago. The government has acknowledged that Israel’s settlements in the West Bank violate international law and characterized the ban as fulfilling its obligation not to contribute to unlawful activity.
Research released in June indicated the Netherlands accounted for approximately one-third of agricultural exports from Israel’s illegal settlements and nearly half of such exports destined for the EU. Affected imports consist primarily of agricultural products including avocados, dates, oranges, grapes, and fresh herbs, with the measure also covering goods from the occupied Golan Heights region. Annual trade involving the affected territories is estimated at tens of millions of euros, though precise figures remain difficult to determine.