APN Welcomes EU Guidelines for Labeling Settlement Products

But the European Union authorities said it was their duty to inform and not mislead consumers about the geographic origin of products so that the buyers can make informed decisions.

“The European Union, in line with worldwide law, does not recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967, namely the Golan Heights, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and does not consider them to be part of Israel’s territory, irrespective of their legal status under domestic Israeli law”. On Tuesday, Cabinet Minister Yuval Steinitz accused Europe of “disguised anti-Semitism.” Officials avoided such language Wednesday, but the reactions were swift and angry nonetheless.

As Israeli leaders have said, Schwammenthal stressed the singling out of Israel from among the world’s nations regarding the labeling of products from disputed territories.

At the fourth Summit of South American-Arab Countries (ASPA) that took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Abbas praised the European decision and demanded the worldwide community, especially in Latin America, support Palestinians more, so they can fulfill their legitimate right to create an independent Palestinian state.

The regulations might have negative consequences for the sizeable number of Palestinian workers employed by Israelis, as Netanyahu’s statement mentioned.

“This will not advance peace. It’s wrong. Europe should be ashamed of itself”.

According to Israel’s ambassador to the EU, David Walzer, trade from settlements only accounts for two to three percent of Israeli exports (or a few $200m) to the European Union.

The European Union repeatedly denied Israeli claims that this regulation is considered a boycott of Israel.

Yet, a senior Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) official, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media, has said that the EU’s measure does not go far enough. “Those products should not only be labeled, but should be banned”.

But Israeli officials called it a political move inspired by the global pro-Palestinian campaign to boycott Israeli products.

According to Human Rights Watch, at least $300 million worth of settlement goods – as varied as produce, boutique wines and technological products – are sold to Europe annually, although different calculations could put the value much higher. Oxfam faced huge pressure to ditch Johansson and publicly criticised her decision.

“I hope and am optimistic regarding the commitment of the prime minister, and his ability to fulfill what he promised”, said Yizhar Hess, CEO of the Israeli Conservative movement. A SodaStream ad starring Johansson hawking water carbonators made by the company was aired during the superbowl, and the controversy surrounding the actress’ resignation from Oxfam was covered widely in the media.

– In 2008, the year before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took office, over 474,000 Israelis were living in the two territories, with about 281,000 in the West Bank and a few 193,000 in east Jerusalem. We think that this decision is of a discriminatory nature and it smacks of boycott.

Valdis Dombrovskis, the European commissioner for the Euro and Social Dialogue, said the labeling directive was a “clarification” requested by EU members states and “not a political stance”.

Supporters of the movement disagree with this charge.

In a few odd way, in a continent that has a long, unlovely history of subjecting Jews to boycotts and badges, it is only products from the Jewish state that are going to be specially marked.