The Netherlands is set to ban imports of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, Al Jazeera reports.
The Dutch government announced final approval of the decree on Tuesday, which will take effect on Sept 22, according to the Qatari broadcaster.
The measure will prohibit the “import, purchase, and sale of goods originating from unlawful Israeli settlements in the Palestinian Territories”, joining a small but growing group of European countries that have introduced unilateral restrictions targeting settlements in the occupied West Bank.
European Union member states remain divided over imposing a bloc-wide ban, despite sustained pressure from several governments for a common sanctions regime, as per Al Jazeera.
Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Berendsen told parliament the trade restrictions had already been planned, although the implementation date had now been confirmed.
A majority in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch parliament, backed the measure last year.
Under the decree, it will also become illegal for Dutch companies to provide brokering services that facilitate trade with illegal Israeli settlements.
Because favourable tax regulations have made the Netherlands a major base for multinational companies, the ban will also apply to Dutch firms operating abroad.
The Dutch Council of State raised no objection to the policy, though it questioned how effectively it could be enforced in practice.
The government said it had already considered those concerns when the proposal was announced two months ago.
The Dutch government has acknowledged that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal under international law and has argued that the ban reflects its obligation not to contribute to that situation.
Far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders criticised the decision on X, saying he was “deeply ashamed” of the move.
Research published in June by Global Echo, an organisation pursuing legal action on behalf of Palestinians, found the Netherlands accounted for about one-third of agricultural exports from Israeli settlements and nearly half of such exports entering the EU.
Imports covered by the ban mainly include agricultural produce such as avocados, dates, oranges, grapes and fresh herbs.
The restrictions will also apply to products from the occupied Golan Heights, which is known for wine production.
Annual trade involving the affected territories is estimated to be worth tens of millions of euros, although the exact value is difficult to determine, the broadcaster said.