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EU countries move on imports
Egypt hailed the Netherlands and Belgium for moving to ban trade in goods originating from Israeli settlements established in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and said the step is the epitome of support for justice.
“Egypt hailed Wednesday the decision by the governments of the Netherlands and Belgium to ban trade in goods”
In a statement, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said the move aligns with Security Council Resolution 2334, which it said underlines the illegitimacy of settlements and demands their immediate cessation to safeguard the opportunities for peace and the two-state solution.
The Netherlands, the Al Jazeera report says, is set to ban imports of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, with the Dutch government announcing final approval of a decree on Tuesday.
Al Jazeera added that the Netherlands’ ban would cover the “import, purchase, and sale of goods originating from unlawful Israeli settlements in the Palestinian Territories” from September 22, and would also make it illegal for Dutch companies to provide brokering services facilitating such trade.
Palestinian and OIC praise
Hussein Sheikh, Vice President of the State of Palestine, welcomed the Netherlands and Belgium decisions to ban the import of products from illegal Israeli settlements, saying the step is positive and important because it aligns with international law and UN Security Council Resolution No. (2334).
Sheikh said in a post on his official account on the platform "X" that the decision also aligns with the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice.
The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation welcomed the same decisions, describing them as a well-deserved legal and political achievement consistent with the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice and resolutions of international legitimacy.
The OIC General Secretariat renewed its call for all countries to take practical and legislative measures to ban economic, financial, and service-related activities linked to the Israeli occupation authorities and their "colonial system" in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Implementation dates and enforcement
Le Monde reported that the Netherlands government announced on Tuesday, July 21, that it would ban imports from Palestinian territories occupied by Israeli settlers from September 22.
“from September 22”
Le Monde quoted the Dutch ministry saying the ban will apply to "the import, purchase, and sale of goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements located in the Palestinian territories," and added that the Dutch foreign ministry said the Netherlands is reinforcing its commitment to fulfilling its international legal obligation not to contribute to an unlawful situation.
Al Jazeera said the Dutch Council of State raised no objection to the policy but flagged doubts over how enforceable it would be in practice, while the government said it had already weighed that concern when the measure was first announced two months ago.
Al Jazeera also reported that the Netherlands joins Spain and the Republic of Ireland among EU states acting unilaterally, as pressure builds on the 27-nation bloc to adopt a coordinated response to Israel’s actions in Gaza and the occupied territories.