Netherlands bans all goods from illegal Israeli settlements

Starting Tuesday it is prohibited to import or bring with you goods from illegal Israeli settlements into the Netherlands, according to the Dutch Customs Authorities. The ban covers businesses and travelers’ luggage.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 2024 that Israel’s occupation and settlement in the West Bank are illegal. The states must, therefore, refrain from contributing financially, which is why the trade and imports from the occupied Palestinian territories will now be blocked.

According to the Public Prosecution Service, individuals or companies face up to six years in prison for violating the rules. Fines may also be imposed, while unintentional violations might result in up to one year in prison.

Prosecutors are going to focus on systematic and deliberate violations. Determining whether dates or oranges, with which those areas are rich, come from a settlement is often reportedly hard in practice. Products rarely have a label stating they come from such a settlement. Research by the NGO Global Echo has previously found that the origins are often hidden, by, for example, listing that products come from Israel. Some also allegedly use Israeli addresses or mux produce that comes from the settlements with Israeli goods.

Customs will begin checking at the border on Tuesday. “If customs finds goods that can be established as falling under this sanctions measure, we will seize them and draw an official report,” a spokesperson said.

Supermarkets say they already apply strict origin checks. Albert Heijn said it is monitoring the rules closely and will open an investigation if needed. Lidl said it sells virtually no products from Israel.

Jumbo said it has been addressing the issue for some time. The chain sells dates, mangoes, and herbs from Israel and has an independent party that verifies that products come exclusively from Israel.