The Dutch government has agreed to ban the trade of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and the Syrian Golan Heights. Ministers are also looking into whether they can ban services and investments from these areas in the future.
Last year, parliament called for a national ban on these imports. The government wanted a ban across the whole of the EU, which would be much easier to enforce, but other European countries did not give enough support. Because of this, the Netherlands is moving forward on its own.
Officials said they are deeply worried about the situation in these areas. They noted that the growth of illegal settlements and violence by settlers are making a peaceful two-state solution much harder to achieve.
However, ministers admit that enforcing the ban will be difficult. To help make it work, the Netherlands is teaming up with other countries taking similar steps, such as Belgium, which announced its own ban last year.
The new rules ban both direct imports and buying these goods through third parties. It also applies to Dutch companies working abroad. While European law allows a ban on physical goods, the government explained that there is currently no legal basis to ban services and investments.
The ban is set to last for three years. The government is now asking for urgent legal advice to get the new rules into place as quickly as possible.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
