'Witch hunt': Israeli passengers stopped, searched at Dutch airport as NL begins import crackdown

The Netherlands began enforcing its ban on the import of goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, with Israeli travelers reporting thorough bag searches at Dutch airports.Follow us on GoogleSnowfall causes disruptions to air, rail and road traffic in the Netherlands Tuesday, 6th January 2026(photo credit: REUTERS/PIROSCHKA VAN DE WOUW)SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 16:48Updated: SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 17:41The Netherlands has begun enforcing its strict crackdown on the import of goods from Israeli settlements, with passengers reporting thorough bag checks at Schiphol Airport.As of September 22, 2026, the Netherlands officially enacted the sanction decision on settlements in the West Bank, the Golan Heights, and East Jerusalem.The ban extends to all imported goods, including travelers' personal luggage and souvenirs. Those found to have adjusted origin labels will also be penalized.The prohibition additionally applies to goods that are only partially made or produced in the settlements (i.e. if one ingredient is from the area, even if the product was predominantly made in, say, Tel Aviv).The date of purchase of the product has no bearing on the penalty, meaning the law is effectively backdated to all purchases prior to its implementation.View of the Jewish settlement of Efrat, Gush Etzion, in the West Bank, July 31, 2025. (credit: WISAM HASHLAMOUN/FLASH90)Penalty for violating sanctions could result in six-year imprisonmentUnder the new law, intentional violation or circumvention of the rules is punishable by up to six years' imprisonment or a significant fine.Unintentional violations can carry a prison sentence of up to one year.According to conservative news site Nieuwsrecht, the day after the ban came into effect, travelers arriving at Schiphol from Tel Aviv walked past customs through the “Nothing to declare” lane when a customs officer asked: “Are you coming from Tel Aviv? Yes? Everyone from Israel, come over here!”Nieuwsrecht said all El Al passengers were made to put their luggage through a screening machine.The news site later learned that a unit of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee has been assigned to carry out additional checks on passengers arriving on flights from Israel at the national airport to determine whether they are carrying wine, dates, olives, or other products brought from East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Golan.Posters listing prohibited items have now also been distributed.Nieuwsrecht called it a "witch hunt." Customs in the Netherlands did not respond to The Jerusalem Post's request for comment by the time of publication.Follow us on Google