Netherlands bans sale of products from Israeli settlements

The Netherlands has implemented a ban on the sale and purchase of goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the Golan Heights, and East Jerusalem. Violators of these new regulations face criminal prosecution and potential prison sentences of up to six years.

While regular trade with internationally recognized Israeli territory remains permitted under existing European Union treaties, Dutch supermarket chains such as Jumbo and Albert Heijn are now implementing strict verification processes to ensure product origins. This follows findings from the human rights organization Global Echo, which reported that approximately 17 percent of shipments to the EU between 2017 and 2026 contained goods from illegal settlements, often through obscured labeling.

In response to the legislation, the Israel Product Center, managed by the foundation Christians for Israel, has ceased selling products like wine, cookies, and perfume from these areas. The organization previously lost a summary judgment against the Dutch state regarding these regulations.