News
2026-07-23
League of Arab States welcomes Dutch and Belgian decisions to ban trade in Israeli settlement products, rejects Nauru's plan to open embassy in Jerusalem
The League of Arab States welcomed the decisions taken by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Belgium to prohibit the import, purchase and sale of products originating from Israeli settlements established in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, describing the measures as a positive step towards strengthening respect for international law and the principles of international legitimacy.
The League of Arab States welcomed the decisions taken by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Belgium to prohibit the import, purchase and sale of products originating from Israeli settlements established in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, describing the measures as a positive step towards strengthening respect for international law and the principles of international legitimacy.
His Excellency Ambassador Dr Fayed Mustafa, Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States and Head of the Palestine and Occupied Arab Territories Sector, stated that any trade with Israel's illegal settlements is incompatible with states' obligations under international law not to recognise the unlawful situation resulting from the Israeli occupation, nor to render aid or assistance in maintaining it.
Ambassador Mustafa noted that these obligations are firmly grounded in international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, foremost among them Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016), as well as the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice concerning the legal consequences arising from Israel's policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Ambassador Mustafa noted that these obligations are firmly grounded in international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, foremost among them Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016), as well as the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice concerning the legal consequences arising from Israel's policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The General Secretariat further noted that the measures adopted by the Netherlands and Belgium provide a practical example of translating international legal obligations into concrete action.
It called on other states, particularly members of the European Union, to adopt similar measures that would prevent illegal settlements from benefiting from international markets and contribute to halting settlement expansion, annexation policies, and attempts to impose a fait accompli.
It called on other states, particularly members of the European Union, to adopt similar measures that would prevent illegal settlements from benefiting from international markets and contribute to halting settlement expansion, annexation policies, and attempts to impose a fait accompli.
The League of Arab States also expressed its unequivocal rejection of the Republic of Nauru's announcement of its intention to open an embassy in occupied Jerusalem.
The League stated that the move would constitute a grave violation of international law and relevant international legitimacy resolutions, in particular United Nations Security Council Resolutions 476 (1980) and 478 (1980), which affirmed the nullity of all Israeli measures aimed at altering the character and legal status of occupied Jerusalem and called upon all states to refrain from establishing or relocating diplomatic missions to the city.
The League stated that the move would constitute a grave violation of international law and relevant international legitimacy resolutions, in particular United Nations Security Council Resolutions 476 (1980) and 478 (1980), which affirmed the nullity of all Israeli measures aimed at altering the character and legal status of occupied Jerusalem and called upon all states to refrain from establishing or relocating diplomatic missions to the city.
Ambassador Mustafa emphasised that Nauru's announcement represents a departure from the international consensus regarding the legal status of Jerusalem and is inconsistent with states' legal obligations not to recognise any unlawful situation or measures arising from the occupation.
He further stressed that such a step undermines international efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-State solution and the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy.
He further stressed that such a step undermines international efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-State solution and the relevant resolutions of international legitimacy.
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