Exported food products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank and other territory occupied in 1967 must be marked in the European Union. This is the EU court of justice (ECJ) ruled on Tuesday in Luxembourg.
fruit, vegetables or wine must carry a note on their area of origin. They come from an Israeli settlement in the occupied territories, this must be in addition noted how the judges ‘ verdict.
The question is politically explosive. Israel holds a special labeling of settler products to be discriminatory. Critics complain that it is a basis for boycotts against Israel.
the Background is a legal dispute in France. A Jewish organization and a Wine maker had filed a complaint against a decree of 2016, the demanded also for the labelling of products from Israeli settlements in the 1967 territories occupied by Israel. The French decree was based on EU requirements for origin marking of foodstuffs.
Informed consumer
The ECJ confirmed now, with the territories occupied in 1967 would have a different Status under international law than Israel. A marking is not mandatory in order to lead consumers astray. They allow buyers to make an informed choice, and also under ethical considerations, said the court.
Israel had conquered in 1967 in the six day war, including the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Syria belonging to the Golan heights. The United Nations, the territories which were annexed by Israel as occupied.
The Palestinians claim the West Bank and East Jerusalem for a state of Palestine. There are more than 600’000 Israeli settlers live in the meantime as a whole. Palestinian leaders welcomed the decision of the EU court of justice. We “call on all European countries, the legal and political obligation to implement them”, said the Secretary-General of the Palestinian liberation organization (PLO), Saeb Erekat, on Tuesday. In addition, he called on to ban the products for international markets.
Federal Council: indication of “Israel” is not allowed
For Switzerland, the Federal Council had noted in 2013 in a response from the Parliament; the term “Israel” as country of origin for Goods originating in the occupied Arab territories, was not “allowed”. And: “In such cases, a different origin is to be affixed label (e.g., “the West Bank”, “Gaza strip”, “East-Jerusalem” or “Golan”).” (aru/sda)
Created: 12.11.2019, 11:52 PM
