The Netherlands’ restrictions take effect on September 22, while Belgium is also moving to prevent products from Israeli settlements and outposts from reaching its market.
More than a dozen countries have taken measures to restrict the entry of settlement-produced goods, while the International Court of Justice ruled in July 2024 that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful and that Israeli settlements and outposts are illegal under international law.
Meanwhile, Ireland signed similar legislation in July, following earlier measures adopted by Slovenia and Spain.
The settlements and outposts have been built on Palestinian land, including farmland, across the occupied West Bank and East Al-Quds.
Those areas produce dates, olive oil, fruits, vegetables and herbs, with a significant portion of the products exported to foreign markets.
The Netherlands serves as a major gateway for goods entering the European market.
According to Global Echo Litigation Center, which tracks shipments between 2017 and 2026, the Netherlands handled about one-third of the shipments tracked during that period.
Separately, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, Norway and New Zealand have imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers and groups, including Hilltop Youth and Lava, which have been attacking Palestinians.
However, the European Union’s single market creates a potential loophole, allowing goods entering the bloc through countries without similar restrictions to move across internal borders.
Global Echo said companies have found ways to circumvent restrictions by mixing products from illegal settlements with other Israeli goods within supply chains, making their original source difficult to trace.
There is also a significant economic interest involved, with the United Nations estimating that illegal settlements contributed an average of $30 billion a year to Israel’s economy between 2000 and 2020, amounting to more than $600 billion over the period.