Netherlands Bans Trade in Products From Israeli Settlements

The Netherlands published a national sanctions order Tuesday banning the import, purchase, sale and brokering of goods produced wholly or partly in Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria and other territories it classifies as occupied. The restrictions take effect September 22, bar attempts to circumvent them and are set to expire after three years. Transit remains permitted, while importers of Israeli-origin goods must declare that products do not come from covered communities. The Dutch government said it acted nationally after failing to secure EU-wide support and acknowledged that an EU measure would reduce enforcement difficulties.