EU move to label settlement products strains ties, deepens Israel's isolation
World
EU move to label settlement products strains ties, deepens Israel’s isolation
The European Union’s decision Wednesday to start labeling Israeli products made in the West Bank delivered a resounding show of international disapproval over Israel’s expansion of Jewish settlements and raised the pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to renew peace efforts with the Palestinians. Israel condemned the measure as unfair and discriminatory, but it appeared helpless to stop its growing isolation over the settlement issue and its treatment of Palestinians. Relations with the EU in particular have deteriorated in recent years due to disputes over the settlements.
The labeling of products of the Jewish state by the European Union brings back dark memories, Europe should be ashamed of itself. It took an immoral decision. … This will not advance peace; it will certainly not advance truth and justice. It’s wrong.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
The economic impact of the decision is likely to be minimal, but the move is highly symbolic. Once implemented, European consumers will be able to read on the label of most products — including agricultural goods, olive oil, cosmetics and wines — that they were produced on Israeli settlements. Although such products will not be banned, Israel fears the labels will be a political stigma and could lead to a fuller boycott. The EU decision came amid a two-month wave of violence that reared its head again Wednesday as dozens of Palestinians were injured during clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank on the anniversary of the death of their leader, Yasser Arafat.
I highly appreciate what the EU countries did on the products of the Israeli colonial settlements.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
