Netherlands Considers Trade Ban on Goods from Israeli Settlements
Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel announces efforts to ban products from Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine, as international condemnation of settler violence grows.
The Netherlands is exploring the possibility of banning goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
This move was announced by Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel during a recent visit to the West Bank, where he witnessed firsthand the areas affected by Israeli settler attacks.
The Netherlands temporarily paused its efforts to impose broader sanctions against Israel following the ceasefire with Hamas last month.
However, the recent surge in violence by settlers in the West Bank has prompted widespread international condemnation.
Van Weel explained that while the country aims to support a peace plan and encourage constructive engagement from Israel, it cannot ignore ongoing developments that may undermine the two-state solution.
Implying sanctions is complex for EU members due to trade relationships; van Weel stated that creating a legal basis for such actions requires new policy development, which must then be approved by parliament.
The European Union is Israel's largest trading partner, accounting for approximately one-third of all Israeli exports, with goods from the settlements representing a relatively small portion.
The Netherlands' stance aligns with countries like Spain, Slovenia, Belgium, and Ireland in planning trade sanctions against Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Additionally, Belgium and Spain have withdrawn consular services from settlers in these areas.
This decision comes amid pressure from member states such as Finland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden, who asked the EU Commission to assess cutting trade ties with Israeli settlements following an International Court of Justice ruling deeming Israel's occupation of Palestine unlawful.
Historically, the Netherlands has been a strong ally of Israel.
However, in May, they urged the EU to review the association agreement between the bloc and Israel, which includes provisions for tariff-free trade, financial cooperation, and scientific research.
This led the EU in September to consider suspending its free trade agreement with Israel after finding violations of numerous human rights obligations.
The calls also extend to sanctions against two far-right Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
Sven Kuhn von Burgsdorff, a former EU envoy to Palestine, emphasized that the era of 'business as usual' with Israel is over, and that the time for impunity has ended.
In recent months, more than 200 Palestinians have been killed by settlers and Israeli military forces in the West Bank, including 40 children.
The attacks reached an average of eight incidents daily in October, targeting people, property, and livestock—a level not seen in the past twenty years according to EU records.
This escalation is particularly concerning amid plans from far-right Israeli politicians to effectively annex the West Bank by extending Israeli law to the region.
Although this proposal has only cleared a preliminary reading stage, it remains opposed by the United States.
This move was announced by Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel during a recent visit to the West Bank, where he witnessed firsthand the areas affected by Israeli settler attacks.
The Netherlands temporarily paused its efforts to impose broader sanctions against Israel following the ceasefire with Hamas last month.
However, the recent surge in violence by settlers in the West Bank has prompted widespread international condemnation.
Van Weel explained that while the country aims to support a peace plan and encourage constructive engagement from Israel, it cannot ignore ongoing developments that may undermine the two-state solution.
Implying sanctions is complex for EU members due to trade relationships; van Weel stated that creating a legal basis for such actions requires new policy development, which must then be approved by parliament.
The European Union is Israel's largest trading partner, accounting for approximately one-third of all Israeli exports, with goods from the settlements representing a relatively small portion.
The Netherlands' stance aligns with countries like Spain, Slovenia, Belgium, and Ireland in planning trade sanctions against Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Additionally, Belgium and Spain have withdrawn consular services from settlers in these areas.
This decision comes amid pressure from member states such as Finland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, and Sweden, who asked the EU Commission to assess cutting trade ties with Israeli settlements following an International Court of Justice ruling deeming Israel's occupation of Palestine unlawful.
Historically, the Netherlands has been a strong ally of Israel.
However, in May, they urged the EU to review the association agreement between the bloc and Israel, which includes provisions for tariff-free trade, financial cooperation, and scientific research.
This led the EU in September to consider suspending its free trade agreement with Israel after finding violations of numerous human rights obligations.
The calls also extend to sanctions against two far-right Israeli ministers, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
Sven Kuhn von Burgsdorff, a former EU envoy to Palestine, emphasized that the era of 'business as usual' with Israel is over, and that the time for impunity has ended.
In recent months, more than 200 Palestinians have been killed by settlers and Israeli military forces in the West Bank, including 40 children.
The attacks reached an average of eight incidents daily in October, targeting people, property, and livestock—a level not seen in the past twenty years according to EU records.
This escalation is particularly concerning amid plans from far-right Israeli politicians to effectively annex the West Bank by extending Israeli law to the region.
Although this proposal has only cleared a preliminary reading stage, it remains opposed by the United States.
