Qatar welcomes Dutch and Belgian bans on Israeli settlement products, urges more countries to follow

Qatar's government has expressed approval of trade restrictions on Israeli settlement goods introduced by the Netherlands and Belgium, framing these actions as important measures to enforce international legal standards. According to Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the bans represent meaningful progress in efforts to discourage settlement expansion, which the ministry characterizes as violations of international resolutions, particularly UN Security Council Resolution 2334.

The Dutch government confirmed that its comprehensive ban on settlement products will commence on September 22. The restriction encompasses the import, purchase, and sale of goods originating from settlements, and extends to brokering services that facilitate such trade. A notable aspect of the Dutch measure is its application to Dutch companies operating internationally, reflecting the country's significance as a base for multinational corporations seeking favorable tax conditions. The Dutch parliament's lower house had already endorsed the measure in the previous year.

Belgium enacted its own ban on July 18 as part of a broader policy package regarding Israel. These two nations join Ireland, Spain, and Slovenia in implementing settlement trade restrictions. The moves reflect growing European momentum toward such measures, though efforts to establish a unified European Union-wide ban have encountered opposition from Germany and Italy.

Qatar reiterated its longstanding commitment to a two-state solution, emphasizing support for an independent Palestinian state within 1967 borders and designating East Jerusalem as its capital. The country called on the international community to assume its legal and moral obligations to compel Israel to cease settlement activities in occupied Palestinian territories.