Netherlands protesters oppose trade with Israeli settlements as distribution centre challenges ban

Protesters have gathered outside a distribution centre in Nijkerk in the Netherlands that handles goods from Israeli settlements. The Dutch government has imposed a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements, due to take effect on September 22. Protesters say the ban is necessary, while the Israel Product Center, run by Christians for Israel, has challenged the measure in court, calling it discriminatory. The organisation has been linked by recent research to donations supporting settlements in the occupied West Bank. The Netherlands is one of four EU countries imposing a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements. Spain already bans these products, while Ireland and Belgium have adopted legislation for trade restrictions. The European Union has postponed a decision on bloc-wide measures until later this year. Trade from illegal settlements to the EU is estimated to be worth up to $400 million each year, although the exact amount is difficult to determine. Rights groups accuse some exporters of mislabeling settlement products as Israeli-made. A recent report by Global Echo found that the Netherlands is the largest importer of goods from illegal settlements within the EU, with an estimated 30 percent destined for or passing through the country. In a 2024 advisory opinion, the International Court of Justice stated that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory is illegal and that states must refrain from trade that sustains it. A court in The Hague is due to hear the case brought by Christians for Israel against the trade ban next week. Al Jazeera’s Step Vaessen reports from Nijkerk. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile #Netherlands #IsraelSettlements #IsraeliSettlements #Palestine #WestBank #Gaza #TradeBan #Nijkerk #ChristiansForIsrael #AlJazeeraEnglish