Egypt welcomes Dutch ban on trade in goods from Israeli settlements

Egypt welcomed the Dutch government’s decision to ban trade in goods originating from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

In a statement, the ministry said the decision demonstrates a practical commitment to international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which affirms that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories have no legal validity and calls for an immediate halt to settlement activities.

The Dutch government said the ban, which will take effect on 22 Sept., is intended to ensure the Netherlands does not contribute to what it considers an illegal situation in the occupied Palestinian territories under international law.

“The settlements in the territories occupied by Israel are illegal. Through these measures, the Netherlands is giving further effect to its obligation under international law not to contribute to that unlawful situation,” the Dutch government said in an AI-translated statement.

Egypt called on European Union member states and the broader international community to follow the examples of the Netherlands and Belgium by adopting similar legal measures banning trade in goods originating from Israeli settlements.

The ministry reiterated Egypt’s longstanding position that lasting peace and security in the Middle East can only be achieved by ending the Israeli occupation and enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their legitimate right to self-determination, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Earlier this week, Egypt welcomed Belgium’s decision to ban imports of goods produced in Israeli settlements, describing it as an important step towards upholding international law and urging other European Union member states to adopt similar measures.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English