Netherlands to ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements starting September

The Netherlands will begin enforcing a ban on imports from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories from 22 September, Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen informed parliament on Tuesday. Companies attempting to circumvent the restrictions will also face legal action from the same date, according to Dutch broadcaster RTL Nieuws. The Dutch government considers Israeli settlements in the occupied territories to be in violation of international law. The policy is designed to ensure that trade activities do not contribute to the sustainability of these settlements. Products imported from the settlements are predominantly agricultural commodities, including avocados, dates, oranges, grapes, and fresh herbs. The ban also covers products from the occupied Golan Heights, an area known for its wine production. The annual trade value involving the affected territories is estimated to be in the tens of millions of euros, though the exact figure is difficult to determine. According to RTL Nieuws, some parties residing in the settlements circumvent existing rules by declaring their products as originating from Israel rather than the occupied territories. A majority of Dutch MPs have long pushed for an import ban on the settlements, which they deem illegal. The government had previously pledged last summer to take such a step. The current government announced the policy in May and sought an urgent opinion from the Dutch Council of State. Berendsen stated that the opinion did not require any changes to the sanctions regulation, allowing the policy to take effect in September. A policy in place since 2006, which encourages Dutch companies to refrain from business activities that contribute to the construction or maintenance of the settlements, will also remain in force. The Netherlands joins a growing number of EU member states implementing national restrictions, amid a lack of agreement on a similar bloc-wide ban. Belgium approved a comparable import ban on 18 July, while Spain and Slovenia have also adopted similar policies. The Irish parliament passed a similar ban on 15 July.