Netherlands to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements

The Netherlands is set to ban imports of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, Al Jazeera reports.

The Dutch government announced final approval of the decree on Tuesday, which will take effect on Sept 22, according to the Qatari broadcaster.

The measure will prohibit the "import, purchase, and sale of goods originating from unlawful Israeli settlements in the Palestinian Territories", joining a small but growing group of European countries that have introduced unilateral restrictions targeting settlements in the occupied West Bank.

European Union member states remain divided over imposing a bloc-wide ban, despite sustained pressure from several governments for a common sanctions regime, as per Al Jazeera.