As of September 22, a ban on imported goods from illegal settlements on the West Bank and the Golan Heights has been in place. As a result, some passengers at Schiphol arriving from Israel have had their baggage checked.
And it’s safe to say, it’s caused quite the stir.
After a flight from Tel Aviv to Amsterdam last Wednesday underwent such checks, Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel took to X, writing that “A nativity scene from Bethlehem can land you behind bars!”
There were some people from Netherlands in our church this morning who are flying back tomorrow & have to check their souvenirs to make sure they aren’t from Judea/Samaria-possible 6 yr prison term. A Nativity set from Bethlehem could put you in prison! Insane! https://t.co/rGQM7PFajE
— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) September 27, 2026
Israel is also mad
And it’s not just Huckabee who is sharing his outrage. The Israeli government has responded to the checks at Schiphol, writing that “The Israeli government considers this measure to be very serious and has taken retaliatory measures.”
According to AD, on Sunday evening, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar revoked the diplomatic accreditation of Dutch diplomats in Ramallah.
This comes shortly after Dutch representatives were made to leave a Gaza aid centre. The opening of the new Dutch embassy in Tel Aviv was also cancelled.
Of course, Geert Wilders also had to weigh in on the ban, writing on X that “It is entirely justified that the Israeli government cracks down hard on this cabinet’s hatred of Israel.”
But customs has something to say about all this commotion
According to Dutch customs, everyone is overreacting a little bit.
Spokesperson Oscar van Elferen, tells Het Parool that “A new sanctions measure indeed came into effect on September 22. It instructs us to check for goods originating from territories unlawfully acquired by Israel.”
However, he adds that carrying out such a check on every flight coming in from Israel simply isn’t possible with all the other jobs customs has to complete.
READ MORE | The Dutch cabinet wants a complete ban on imports from illegal Israeli settlements
“We have about a hundred tasks, from drug checks to e-commerce surveillance and the levying of import duties. This import ban is added to that. We really cannot inspect every plane; we simply do not have the manpower for that. We conduct checks based on samples and data.”
And customs are supported by the Central Jewish Council (CJO), Het Parool reports. According to the CJO, the picture being painted around the flight from Tel Aviv to Schiphol on Wednesday has been blown out of proportion.
“Based on information gathered by the CJO over the past few days, that picture is incorrect,” they write. Based on the information they found, only 15 travellers from the flight were actually checked by customs, however, they were given the impression that all passengers were being checked.
The Netherlands isn’t the only country with such a ban
While the Dutch may be in the spotlight for now, the Netherlands isn’t actually the only country imposing this ban. Ireland, Belgium, and Spain have also introduced restrictions, with Canada, France, and the UK also preparing measures.
This all comes after the International Court of Justice ruled in 2024 that countries may not help contribute to illegal settlements by supporting them through trade or investments.
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