Starting on 22 September, products originating from Israeli settlements in the Palestinian Territories will no longer be allowed into the Netherlands. The Dutch government announced this today, joining other EU countries that have adopted similar measures in light of the impasse at the Union level caused by the divisions among the 27.

The ban applies “to the import, purchase and sale of goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements located in the Palestinian territories,” the foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that it is prohibited to circumvent the measures.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in that territory, excluding East Jerusalem, alongside about three million Palestinians. All Israeli settlements are considered illegal under international law.

“With the proposed measures, the Netherlands reiterates its commitment to uphold the international legal obligation not to contribute to this illegal situation,” the foreign ministry explained.

According to a 413-page report published by the non-governmental organization Global Echo, which advocates for Palestinian rights, the Netherlands alone accounts for one-third of all recorded exports of agricultural products grown in illegal Israeli settlements and nearly half of all exports to the European Union.

Several EU countries voiced support earlier this month for a ban on imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, but member states have not yet reached an agreement.

Ireland, Belgium and Spain have already imposed their own trade restrictions.

Violence in the West Bank by Israeli settlers has increased sharply since the start of the war in the Gaza Strip: human rights organizations and the United Nations report almost daily attacks by Israeli settlers.