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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| EU: Settlement goods not Israeli | EU: Settlement goods not Israeli |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The European Court of Justice has ruled that Israeli goods made in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank cannot be considered Israeli. | |
| This means goods made by Israelis or Jews in the West Bank cannot benefit from a trade deal giving Israel preferential access to EU markets. | This means goods made by Israelis or Jews in the West Bank cannot benefit from a trade deal giving Israel preferential access to EU markets. |
| EU import duties on Israeli goods from the settlements may now be imposed, making them less competitive. | EU import duties on Israeli goods from the settlements may now be imposed, making them less competitive. |
| Jewish settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law. | Jewish settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law. |
| The EU has agreements with both Israel and the Palestinians that end customs duties. | The EU has agreements with both Israel and the Palestinians that end customs duties. |
| Israeli companies based around settlements manufacture a host of products including confectionary, wine, cosmetics and computer equipment. | Israeli companies based around settlements manufacture a host of products including confectionary, wine, cosmetics and computer equipment. |
| Some of the companies employ Palestinian workers, who are restricted from working in Israel. | Some of the companies employ Palestinian workers, who are restricted from working in Israel. |
| Palestinians have long-argued that Israeli goods made at settlements should not receive trade privileges as settlements are not part of Israel. | Palestinians have long-argued that Israeli goods made at settlements should not receive trade privileges as settlements are not part of Israel. |
| Pro-Palestinian campaigners have also regularly protested that European supermarkets stock goods with Israeli labels on farm products from the West Bank. | Pro-Palestinian campaigners have also regularly protested that European supermarkets stock goods with Israeli labels on farm products from the West Bank. |
| In December the UK government said that food labels would distinguish between goods from Palestinians in the occupied territories and produce from Israeli settlements. | In December the UK government said that food labels would distinguish between goods from Palestinians in the occupied territories and produce from Israeli settlements. |
| Israel has yet to formally comment on the court ruling. | Israel has yet to formally comment on the court ruling. |
| The ruling stems from a case brought by a German drinks company called Brita. | The ruling stems from a case brought by a German drinks company called Brita. |
| It imports products from a Israeli company based in the West Bank and was refused preferential trade treatment by the German customs authorities. | It imports products from a Israeli company based in the West Bank and was refused preferential trade treatment by the German customs authorities. |
| On appeal, a German court asked the European Court of Justice for its decision. | On appeal, a German court asked the European Court of Justice for its decision. |
| European Court of Justice rulings are binding on member states. The decision reflects what has been the general policy of the EU on the issue. | European Court of Justice rulings are binding on member states. The decision reflects what has been the general policy of the EU on the issue. |