Belgium bans imports of products from Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank

The Belgian federal government has approved a slate of new measures before the summer recess, including an import ban targeting products originating from the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

According to the national Belga News Agency, the import ban was part of an agreement reached by the government at the end of last summer in response to Israel's genocidal war in Gaza and the mounting civilian death toll. The measure had long been stuck in a political deadlock. 

Further details about the terms of the import ban, including a potential "sunset clause" and which goods or sectors would be included, are still unknown.

The Belgian government's decision comes as a coalition of EU nations is advocating for sanctions regarding Israel's conduct in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The European Union has recently issued directives to implement its 2004 resolution concerning products originating from Israeli settlements, which stipulates that items manufactured in the unlawful establishments within the occupied West Bank and the occupied Syrian Golan Heights do not qualify for customs duty exemptions.

France, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Spain were proponents of a comprehensive import ban, in contrast to Germany and Italy, which were against it.

Iran hails Ireland’s move to ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements

Iran has welcomed Ireland’s decision to ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements, calling it a meaningful step toward enforcing international law.

Should the decision be classified as a foreign policy move rather than a trade choice, it would necessitate unanimous approval.

Earlier this week, Belgium's Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot condemned the EU and other governments for their reluctance to adopt stricter measures.

“The Commission has now finally put some options on the table, spanning two pages. This gives the impression that it is more of a token gesture than a genuine intention to make progress,” he told reporters on Monday.   

Hamas welcomes Belgium’s import ban on goods from Israeli settlements

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement has welcomed the Belgian government's decision to ban the import of products originating from illegal Israeli settlements built on Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank.

The Gaza-based group described the measure as a historic decision in line with humanitarian values and international law, which criminalizes settlement activity, and an important step in blocking the attempts by the Tel Aviv regime to legitimize its settlement and Judaization policies on occupied Palestinian lands.

“We call on all governments of the world to adopt similar decisions to boycott Israel and its settlements, take effective steps to isolate it internationally, hold it accountable for the unprecedented crimes it is committing against Palestinian people and throughout occupied territories, and support our people's right to get rid of the occupation and attain their legitimate rights to freedom and self-determination,” Hamas said in a statement.

According to the Israeli anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now, around 500,000 Israeli settlers are living in illegal settlements across the occupied West Bank, in addition to 250,000 who inhabit settlements in occupied East al-Quds.

The United Nations regards the occupied West Bank, which includes East al-Quds, as occupied Palestinian territory and maintains that Israeli settlements in the region are unlawful under international law.

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