EU nears decision over labeling Israeli products made in occupied territories
The European Union will soon announce its decision on the labeling of products made in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, says EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini.
“The work is close to being finished but it is still ongoing," Mogherini said after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Saturday.
Some EU countries have already decided to issue guidance to consumers on the origins of goods imported from Israeli settlements, as such establishments are deemed illegal by most countries. Following a decision by the European Commission, the body will extend these guidelines to all of its 28 countries.
Mogherini’s remarks come at a time of increasing anger in the EU over Israel's continued settlement construction. In April, 16 EU states sent a letter to Mogherini urging a speedier decision on the labeling process. Among the letter’s signatories were the foreign ministers of Italy, Austria, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Holland, Hungary, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia, Spain, Portugal, Finland, France and Sweden.
“We have to make sure that consumers can distinguish products that come from territories occupied by Israel," said Jean Asselborn, foreign minister of Luxembourg which currently holds the presidency of the EU. He added that a solution is expected by the end of the year.
Israel has expanded its illegal settlement construction in the occupied territories in the past few years in defiance of international calls on the regime to end its expansionist polices. Over half a million Israelis live in over 120 illegal settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the West Bank including East al-Quds in 1967.
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