'Point of no return': Belgium becomes fourth European country to ban imports from West Bank

ByMATHILDA HELLERJULY 19, 2026 11:29Updated: JULY 19, 2026 11:43The Belgian federal government has agreed to implement an import ban on goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.The decision to introduce the ban was actually made in September 2025, but political disagreements and negotiations led to a delay.A political agreement was finally made on Saturday, during an overnight marathon cabinet session just before the government entered its summer recess.This makes Belgium the fourth European country with an import ban on Israeli settlements. Spain was first in September 2025, followed by the Netherlands and then Ireland.No details of the bill are available yet, as the text has not been made public.Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever speaks at the Belgian Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. (credit: YVES HERMAN/REUTERS)'Belgium has reached a point of no return'According to Belgian ministers, settlement goods will still be able to enter through the back door, in other words, from third-party countries.Following the announcement on Saturday, MK Sharren Haskel said, "Belgium has reached a point of no return.""It can continue importing radical Islam. We will continue exporting products from Judea and Samaria to countries that choose to import innovation, quality, and technology."Follow us on Google