North African nations attend Hague meeting on Israel’s West Bank policies

Algeria, Libya, Mauritania and Tunisia were among the countries that held talks in The Hague on March 4th to discuss coordinated measures related to Israel’s settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, reports Middle East Eye on the same day.

The four North African states joined representatives from around 40 countries at the meeting, which was co-chaired by South Africa and Colombia and organised by the Hague Group.

The talks focused on a July 2024 UN General Assembly resolution and an advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice. Both state that governments should not recognise Israel’s occupation as lawful or provide assistance that could sustain it.

Participants agreed to further develop three measures to be presented at a future meeting, including steps to strengthen accountability for alleged international crimes.

This could include disclosure requirements for travellers who have served in the Israeli military, allowing authorities to screen those travellers under national war crimes legislation.

Another proposal would enforce non-recognition of Israeli settlements by banning imports of settlement goods and preventing domestic companies from operating in them.

A third suggested measure would stop arms, military fuel and dual-use goods from being supplied or transported to Israel. It would also review public contracts to ensure state funds do not support the occupation.

The Hague Group was established in January 2025 to coordinate international legal responses to Israel’s policies in the occupied Palestinian territories and the genocidal war on Gaza. This session was the group’s largest gathering since its launch.

In a joint statement issued after the meeting, participating governments reaffirmed their commitment to the UN Charter, the prohibition on the acquisition of territory by force and the right of peoples to self-determination.

The meeting came amid concern about the future of a viable Palestinian state after Israel approved its E1 settlement project, as well as the Israeli military expanding operations in the occupied territories.

Diplomats at the meeting expressed that these developments undermine the future of Palestinian statehood; Israeli officials have also encouraged Jewish settlement as part of a broader plan to maintain a Jewish demographic majority in Israel.

The talks also took place as tensions escalated elsewhere in the region following US and Israeli strikes on Iran. The attacks triggered retaliatory missile and drone strikes across multiple countries in the Middle East, escalating the conflict.

Proposals discussed at the meeting will be refined ahead of a future ministerial meeting of participating governments, including those from North Africa.

Middle East Eye and agencies, Maghrebi.org