Netherlands Approves Ban on Trade With Israeli Settlements, Effective September 22

The Netherlands gave final approval to a decree banning all trade in goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the Palestinian Territories and the occupied Golan Heights, effective September 22, 2026. Research by Global Echo found the Netherlands handles one third of agricultural exports from Israeli settlements and nearly half of those destined for the EU. The ban also covers brokering services by Dutch firms operating abroad. Belgium, Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia have taken similar unilateral steps while the EU remains divided on a bloc-wide measure.