The Netherlands has put forth a motion to ban the import of goods originating in allegedly “illegal” Israeli settlements in the West Bank, according to a government press release on the matter on Friday.
The Cabinet-proposed sanctions would prohibit Dutch nationals and legal entities in and outside of the Netherlands from importing goods produced in settlements, buying or selling the goods, and providing intermediary services relating to the goods.
Netherlands cites 'international law' as reason behind ban
The temporary sanctions decree, which was submitted to the Dutch Council of State for an expedited decision, is aimed at preventing “Dutch economic activities from contributing to the perpetuation of a situation that is contrary to international law,” the Cabinet claimed.
It also accused Israel of “unlawful” occupation of Palestinian territory and the Golan Heights, alleging that the expansion of settlements and increasing Israeli settler violence is “causing a continuously deteriorating situation, making a two-state solution increasingly distant.”
“The Netherlands has an international obligation not to contribute to the maintenance of the unlawful occupation,” the Cabinet asserted.