Netherlands: Court approves legislation banning trade with settlement companies

A Dutch court has approved legislation banning trade with Israeli companies operating beyond the Green Line. The law will take effect on September 22 and applies to settlements in Judea and Samaria, the Golan Heights, and East Jerusalem. A petition by the 'Israel Products Center' was rejected. The ban affects products such as wine, perfumes, tahini, and halva. Britain has announced a similar ban, and 11 other countries are considering measures.

A Dutch court approved on Wednesday legislation banning the purchase of or trade with Israeli companies operating beyond the Green Line. The law will take effect on September 22 and will prohibit trade with settlements in Judea and Samaria, the Golan Heights, and East Jerusalem, on the grounds that such trade violates international law. The court rejected a petition by the 'Israel Products Center' (IPC), a pro-Israeli Christian organization based in Nijkerk, which sought to overturn the ban on importing goods from the settlements. The decision affects products such as wine, perfumes, tahini, and halva. Peter van Oordt of the 'Israel Products Center' expressed disappointment with the decision and noted that the ban has far-reaching implications for the organization, Israel, the Jewish community, and Palestinian workers dependent on these companies. He said the organization would study the ruling and consider further steps. About a week ago, Britain announced a similar ban, and 11 other countries, including France and Canada, issued a joint statement on possible trade restrictions amid the advancement of tenders in the E1 area and the rise in violence against Palestinians.