The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) praised the measure, though considering it “insufficient”.
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“This will not effect trade relations with the European Union”, he said.
Netanyahu also “needs to present a vision of hope, and he hasn’t”, Herzog said.
The commission noted that this designation “shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine”.
The Shin Bet said it raided the hospital with IDF and Border Police troops to arrest Azzam Shalaldeh, 20, after receiving intelligence that he was recovering there after being shot during a stabbing attack on a West Bank road two weeks ago. Israel has mounted a long and vocal campaign against the labelling plan first proposed by the European Union in 2012.
Another opposition lawmaker, Tzipi Livni, said Israel could thwart the Europeans’ move if it shows it is serious about pursuing peace. “We just need to diversify. We don’t need public diplomacy and we definitely shouldn’t yell at them that they are anti-Semitic”, the former foreign minister said on her Facebook page.
Products from those areas will still be welcome on the European market, he said, but they must have an accurate indication of origin on them.
That is around a fifth of the $200-$300 million worth of goods produced in settlements each year, but a drop in the ocean next to the $30 billion of goods and services Israel exports to the European Union annually, a third of all its exports. But the move is highly symbolic.
Sarah Saadoun of Human Rights Watch said the labelling regulations gave “businesses and consumers the information they need to avoid supporting industries that contribute to violations of human rights”.
On Tuesday, Cabinet Minister Yuval Steinitz accused Europe of “disguised anti-Semitism”. With this move the European Union not only boosts those other kinds of pressure on Israel but, once again, eggs on Palestinian terror.
Israel’s foreign ministry had earlier summoned the United Nations envoy to the country over the decision and called the step “discriminatory”.
The Israeli military did not provide additional details of the operation, or say whether the troops were undercover.
AFP Photo/Abbas MomaniIsraeli soldiers take position during clashes with Palestinian protesters demonstrating against the expansion of settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on April 25, 2014 in the village of Nabi Saleh, near Ramallah.Avi Roeh, chairman of the Yesha settlers’ council, said “this attempt to isolate us or differentiate us from the rest of Israel won’t succeed”. Those who want to actively support Israel may now seek out settlement products to buy.
Israel was quick to denounce the new rules.
Schwammenthal also criticized the EU’s labeling of products manufactured in the Golan Heights – such as award winning Israeli wines – saying regular Israelis would see this as removed from the reality on the ground, where neighboring Syria has crumbled under several years of sectarian violence.
Israel accuses Palestinian leaders of inciting the violence. “The Israeli economy is strong and will withstand this”.
He challenged leaders in the region, Netanyahu, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to “try to find ways and means of moving forward”. In the past, he has said the continued settlement construction raises questions about Israel’s seriousness for peace.
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“We oppose efforts to isolate or delegitimize the state of Israel”, State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner told reporters, before adding that “it shouldn’t be a surprise to Israel or to anyone that countries are looking at steps that could lead to boycotts or other efforts given their policy on settlements”. “In order for that to happen, we need the right policy”.
