Israel targets boycotters as EU moves against settlements

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

http://972mag.com/israel-targets-boycotters-as-eu-moves-against-settlements/113838/

According to the guidelines, the EU does not recognize Israeli sovereignty beyond the Green Line, regardless of how those territories are regarded by Israeli law. EU member states will determine which punishments they will enforce on anyone who does not abide by the regulations (the regulations require states to levy sanctions against those who violate them). The European Commission will retain the option of opening proceedings for clarifying violations in the event that member states do not deal with the matter themselves.

According to Haaretz’s Barak Ravid, EU Ambassador to Israel Lars Faaborg-Andersen was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem to be reprimanded for the decision on Wednesday evening.

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the EU for choosing “for political reasons, to take such an exceptional and discriminatory step, inspired by the boycott movement, at a time when Israel is confronting a wave of terrorism targeting any and all of its citizens,” adding that “it is puzzling and even irritating that the EU chooses to apply a double standard concerning Israel, while ignoring that there are over 200 other territorial disputes worldwide, including those occurring within the EU or on its doorstep.”

Over 550 Israelis, including former Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg and political scientist Zeev Sternhell, published a petition Wednesday in support of the EU’s decision, saying that Europe’s distinction between Israel and the settlements is a “step that could help promote a peace agreement, and it will also strengthen Israel’s overall status in the world and will undermine attempts to delegitimize it.”

[geek tragedy]

1. The message is pretty clear from Israel's government: the occupation is inseparable from israel.

They're validating BDS.

[Jefferson23]

2. Good for them:

Over 550 Israelis, including former Knesset Speaker Avraham Burg and political scientist Zeev Sternhell,
published a petition Wednesday in support of the EU’s decision, saying that Europe’s distinction between Israel and the settlements is a “step that could help promote a peace agreement, and it will also strengthen Israel’s overall status in the world and will undermine attempts to delegitimize it.”