The Amsterdam city council has adopted a landmark ethical procurement policy, ensuring public funds are not used in ways that contribute to the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories.
Amsterdam now joins a growing movement of European cities – including Ghent, Bologna, and Dublin – choosing human rights over complicity.
While national and European governments look away, it’s local governments that are stepping up, protecting their citizens from being complicit in Apartheid and genocide.
BDS Netherlands welcomes this decision as an important step for the City of Amsterdam in fulfilling the obligation under international law to make no contribution to maintaining the illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories.
We thank the council members involved for their commitment.
We also thank the initiators for the referendum on an alternative citizens’ proposal, as well as the Amsterdam Palestina Coalition. Their efforts helped get this proposal over the finish line.
We call on all Dutch municipalities to follow the example of Amsterdam and adopt similar Ethical Procurement Policies urgently.