The Dutch government will enforce a ban on imports from Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria beginning September 22, according to a senior Dutch diplomat, making the Netherlands the latest European Union member state to adopt such restrictions.
The official told Haaretz on Tuesday that the policy aims to align the Netherlands' trade practices with international legal positions that view Israel's presence in Judea and Samaria as unlawful.
The new rules prohibit businesses and individuals from importing, buying, or selling products manufactured in Israeli communities throughout Judea and Samaria. The regulations also outlaw brokerage and intermediary services related to those goods and impose penalties on those attempting to evade the restrictions.
The measure was officially published Tuesday in the Dutch government's official gazette. Israel's embassy was informed of the decision before public announcement. Additional diplomatic meetings are expected in The Hague to discuss implementation.
The Netherlands joins Spain and Belgium as the third European Union country to impose an import ban on products from Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria.
Luxembourg is expected to adopt similar restrictions in the near future, given its reliance on the Port of Rotterdam for maritime shipping and its closely linked trade policy with the Netherlands and Belgium. Ireland has approved similar legislation, though it has not yet taken effect pending formal approval from President Catherine Connolly.
The European Union's foreign ministers recently discussed the issue but were unable to reach consensus on implementing a bloc-wide ban on goods produced in Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria.
Last year, nine EU member states urged the European Commission to draft proposals ending trade between the European Union and Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria. The request, outlined in a letter to European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, was signed by foreign ministers of Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
The ministers cited a July 2024 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, which declared "Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and the settlements within them as illegal" And said countries should take steps to prevent trade and investment activities sustaining that situation.