Nine Western Nations Condemn Israeli Settlements as Netherlands Bans Trade

Rob Jetten announced on May 22, 2026 that the Dutch cabinet approved a three-year ban on importing and trading goods originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories and the Syrian Golan Heights. The sanctions target Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and aim to prevent Dutch economic activities from contributing to violations of international law. The ban applies to Dutch nationals and entities both domestically and abroad. Ministers acknowledged enforcement difficulties but pledged to coordinate with countries like Belgium. The proposal was sent to the Council of State for an emergency opinion.

Simultaneously, nine Western nations — the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, and the Netherlands — issued a joint statement condemning the deteriorating situation in the West Bank. The coalition declared Israeli settlements illegal under international law and specifically warned that construction of approximately 3,400 housing units in the E1 area would bisect the West Bank, isolating Palestinian communities and constituting a serious legal breach. The statement urged Israel to halt settlement expansion, ensure accountability for unprecedented levels of settler violence, investigate alleged abuses by Israeli forces, and lift financial restrictions on the Palestinian Authority and economy.

The nations also warned businesses of legal and reputational risks from bidding for construction tenders in settlements and reaffirmed commitment to a negotiated two-state solution. The diplomatic pressure followed a separate incident in which National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video taunting foreign activists abducted from a Gaza-bound flotilla, prompting several countries to summon Israeli ambassadors. The statement further called on Israel to respect the Hashemite custodianship of Jerusalem's holy sites and oppose annexation and forcible displacement of Palestinians.