PNN – A number of Zionist figures have called for a halt to imports from the occupied territories in a letter addressed to the European Union.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, citing the Austrian newspaper Standard, a group consisting of several former diplomats, prosecutors and politicians of the Zionist regime have called for a halt to imports from the occupied territories in an open letter addressed to the European Union.
The open letter states: Now is the time to move from rhetoric to action. Europe must stop importing products from Israeli settlements in the occupied territories.
The initiative is a call by former Israeli diplomats, politicians and prosecutors in an open letter to EU member states, seen by The Standard, calling for the EU to end trade with Israeli settlements.
Since 1967, Israel has militarily occupied the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. At the same time, billions of dollars have been invested in the construction of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and a constantly expanding road network connects these settlements to the rest of the occupied territories. More than 700,000 Israelis now live in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
This settlement policy is considered illegal by international lawyers.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) also declared the construction of settlements illegal nearly two years ago, calling on Israel to immediately halt all new settlement activities and evacuate all settlers from the occupied Palestinian territories. However, since that ruling was issued, Israel has approved dozens of new settlement projects.
The European Union is Israel’s largest trading partner. About 28 percent of all Israeli exports go to the EU each year. According to research by the Israeli organization Global Eco, one in five shipments to the EU originates from illegal settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights.
Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Norway have already decided to stop trade with these settlements. However, there is no blanket ban on imports of products from these settlements into the EU.
Several EU member states support such a ban, given Israel’s aggressive settlement policy. Their initiative is expected to be a major topic of discussion at the upcoming EU foreign ministers’ meeting in mid-July.
For this reason, sanctions advocates are now backing the initiative of prominent Israeli figures, including former Attorney General Michael Ben-Yair and former Israeli ambassador to Paris Eli Barnawi.
The open letter from 17 prominent Zionist figures states: The Zionist regime’s continued violation of international law is due to the international community’s inability to move from rhetoric to action. Europe must ensure that settlements no longer benefit from trade and investment relations.
European discussions on sanctions are being watched with concern by Israeli officials. Israeli President Isaac Herzog, during an official visit to Romania, strongly criticized the initiative to his Romanian counterpart, Nicosour Dan.
He called on those in Europe who are calling for a boycott of Israel to change course.