The EU on Monday affirmed its earlier decision to require products made in settlements be labeled as such and stated that “all agreements between the State of Israel and the EU must unequivocally and explicitly indicate their inapplicability to the territories occupied by Israel in 1967.”
However, the EU foreign ministers emphasized that this stance “does not constitute a boycott of Israel which the EU strongly opposes.”
In response, the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs castigated Brussels for its “double standard.”
“Out of 200 territorial conflicts in the world, the EU chose to discriminate only against Israel. This approach prevents the union from being a fair player in settling the conflict.”
In recent days, Israeli diplomats worked in European capitals to soften the EU statement.
Opposition leader Isaac Herzog said the EU had “enlisted to help the BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions) movement.” Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid said, “We must continue to fight against labeling of products from the West Bank and Golan Heights.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
