Netherlands bans West Bank and Golan goods, inspects luggage from Israel

The Netherlands has started enforcing a ban on importing products from the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, and Israeli travellers say they are being singled out for luggage searches on arrival. Israel's Foreign Ministry political director, Gilad Cohen, said customs officers are stopping passengers on flights from Israel and asking them to open their bags.

Key facts

• The import ban has already entered into force; no start date was given in the source.
• It covers products from the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Golan Heights.
• Anyone caught importing such products could face up to six years in prison.
• Passengers arriving on flights from Israel are being asked to open their luggage at Dutch customs.
• Israel has revoked the status of Dutch diplomats based in Ramallah, giving them seven days to return their accreditation.

What is changing?

The Dutch law prohibits bringing products from the West Bank, east Jerusalem or the Golan Heights into the Netherlands. Cohen said the measure lets Dutch customs officials open the luggage of visitors from Israel and check whether they are carrying such items. He called it "a very offensive law" and said Israel views it as a significant escalation in relations between the two countries.

Who is affected?

According to Cohen, the practical effect is that travellers from Israel are treated differently from other visitors. Israel has already received reports of Israelis being stopped at airports in the Netherlands and asked to open their luggage for inspection, and Israel sent its consul in The Hague to look into the matter. Signs at the airport explain the law and warn passengers to expect inspections, Cohen said.

What happens at Dutch airports?

Cohen described the arrival process: passengers from Israel clear passport control, collect their checked luggage and then pass through customs. At customs, he said, officials stop travellers arriving on flights from Israel and ask them to open their bags to check for products from the West Bank, Jerusalem, the Golan Heights and similar areas. He said he knew of no precedent for luggage being opened and travellers being asked where they obtained particular items.

How is Israel responding?

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced on Sunday that Israel was revoking the status of Dutch diplomats based in Ramallah and requiring them to return their diplomatic accreditation within seven days. After that period, the immunities and privileges Israel granted them under that status will expire. Cohen said the move was part of a broader policy of countermeasures against what Israel regards as unilateral and hostile steps.

A local organisation in the Netherlands challenged the law in court, but the petition was rejected, Cohen said.

What this means for travellers

Travellers arriving in the Netherlands on flights from Israel should expect their luggage to be checked at customs, and should be aware that carrying products from the West Bank, east Jerusalem or the Golan Heights into the Netherlands can carry a penalty of up to six years in prison.

Cohen said Israel is in contact with other European governments and is working to keep the policy from spreading, adding that not all EU member states support such measures. He said Israel reserves the right to respond to each case individually.