Why Israel fears settlement sanctions are just the beginning

O n September 8th, a group of 12 countries – including the United Kingdom , France and Canada – announced plans to introduce national and/or support European restrictions on trade in goods with West Bank settlements, which are illegal under international law. (Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium have already adopted measures targeting trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories).

The ban distinguishes between items manufactured in the settlements and Israel proper, so the immediate impact will be limited.

Passengers who recently flew to Amsterdam on a flight from Tel Aviv reported that Dutch customs authorities searched their luggage for products from West Bank settlements or the Golan Heights. (A Netherlands ban on goods originating from Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, including the West Bank, came into force last week.)