Netherlands to ban imports of goods from Israeli settlements

The Dutch government has announced plans to ban imports of goods produced in Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine, citing concerns over Israel’s military offensive in Gaza and settlement expansion in the West Bank. 

Foreign Minister David van Weel told parliament on Wednesday that he has instructed his department to draft a government decree, with the measure to be implemented “as soon as possible.”

The move signals a shift in Dutch policy, which until now had hesitated to escalate beyond travel bans imposed in July on two far-right Israeli ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, accused of inciting violence and calling for the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza.

The decision follows political turmoil within the Netherlands over its stance on Israel. Former Foreign Minister Casper Veldkamp resigned last month, saying he lacked cabinet support to push for tougher action. 

While the Netherlands is a major importer of Israeli products, Van Weel did not specify the volume of goods originating from settlements that would be affected by the ban.