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Belgium Passes Royal Decree Banning West Bank, Golan Imports

7/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Belgium finalized a settlement import ban via a royal decree in a cabinet session before the summer recess.
The ban bars imports of goods from Israeli settlements in West Bank and the Golan Heights.
The measure was announced in September 2025, delayed by political disagreements, and approved in July 2026.
Amnesty International welcomed the ban as a rare step, noting NGOs criticized the omission of the Golan Heights as unjustified.

History

Historical Context

The 2010 European Court of Justice ruled that products from Israeli settlements cannot bear the “Made in Israel” label and are excluded from the EU-Israel Association Agreement’s preferential treatment. That decision required Israel to re-label West Bank exports, covering about 2 % of its shipments to Europe. Belgium’s July 2026 royal decree bans imports from West Bank and Golan settlements, Amnesty International says could trigger EU bans.

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Story summary

Belgium finalized a settlement import ban via a royal decree in a cabinet session before the summer recess.
The ban bars imports of goods from Israeli settlements in West Bank and the Golan Heights.
The measure was announced in September 2025, delayed by political disagreements, and approved in July 2026.
Amnesty International welcomed the ban as a rare step, noting NGOs criticized the omission of the Golan Heights as unjustified.

1 / 2