Twenty-two European Union NGOs are working to enlist support for a widespread boycott of good manufactured in “West Bank communities”, namely yishuvim throughout Yehuda and Shomron. They feel that consumers are no longer willing to support the “settlements because of their human rights violations” and they are calling for a Europe-wide ban on their goods. They question why 311,000 Israelis prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state which will serve as the home to 2.5 million people, those residents of PA (Palestinian Authority) areas living in autonomous areas today.
The 22 NGOs included Christian Aid, Ireland’s Trocaire, the Methodist Church in Britain, the Church of Sweden, France’s Terre Solidaire and Germany’s medico international along with organizations from the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Finland and Norway – all of the opinion that continued purchase of the good manufactured in the settlements, including cosmetics, spices, dates and many other products compromises the integrity of the entire EU.
They do not feel that labeling the good manufactured in these areas is sufficient and the more appropriate step would be an all-inclusive ban of all their goods, a move already supported by Ireland.
Ministry of Trade officials in Israel explain such a boycott would address about $70 million in annual exports from yishuvim, amounting to about 1% of total Israeli exports to EU nations.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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2 Responses
A full fledged counter-boycott might have some impact. I suspect many Americans might join (please note the great love many Americans have for the Europeans in economic matters).
The Israelis might also manage to argue that if someone is boycotting Israel or any part thereof, it is “fair use” to use their intellectual property.
dont these fools realize how many arabs who work in Yehuda and Shomron will be severally hurt? I guess hatred blinds.