Netherlands bans Israeli settlement goods as UK, France, Germany, Italy warn firms over West Bank construction
In a joint statement, the four European powers said settler violence was at “unprecedented levels” and accused the Israeli government of pursuing policies that undermine prospects for the 2SS
The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy said Friday that the situation in the West Bank had “deteriorated significantly” in recent months, warning businesses against taking part in Israeli settlement construction.
In a joint statement, the four European powers said settler violence was at “unprecedented levels” and accused the Israeli government of pursuing policies that undermine prospects for a two-state solution.
They said construction in the E1 area would constitute a “serious breach of international law.”
“Businesses should not bid for construction tenders for E1 or other settlement developments,” the leaders said, warning of “legal and reputational consequences” for companies involved in settlement construction.
The statement also called on Israel to halt settlement expansion, ensure accountability for settler violence, investigate allegations against Israeli forces, respect the Hashemite custodianship over Jerusalem’s holy sites and lift financial restrictions on the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian economy.
The four countries also said they “strongly oppose” calls for annexation and the forcible displacement of Palestinians by certain members of the Israeli government.
The Netherlands went further on Friday, with its cabinet agreeing to ban trade in goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank and other occupied territories, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said after a government meeting, according to NL Times.
Jetten said the measure was aimed at increasing pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and preventing the Netherlands from contributing financially to the maintenance of settlements.
The Dutch government was also examining whether a ban on services and investments linked to settlements was legally possible, Jetten said.
Dutch ministers acknowledged in a letter to parliament that enforcing the measure would be difficult, but said the government had decided that action was preferable to doing nothing. The cabinet asked the Council of State for urgent advice so the ban could be implemented as soon as possible.