The two countries join a growing number of European nations restricting trade with Israeli settlements, as Doha renews its call for a two-state solution. Qatar has welcomed decisions by the Netherlands and Belgium to ban Israeli settlement products, describing the moves as a crucial step toward holding Israel accountable under international law. Berendsen also added that the trade ban had long been in the pipeline, with the September 22 implementation date being the only new development. The measure had already received backing from a majority in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch parliament, last year. Under the ban, Dutch companies will be prohibited from providing brokering services that facilitate trade with illegal Israeli settlements.