Hamas Urges EU to Adopt Draft Resolution Differentiating Israel, West Bank Settlements
Hamas spokesperson says European stance on labeling settlement goods is a step in the right direction, but not enough.
Hamas called for the European Union to adopt the resolution being formulated by the EU Foreign Affairs Council, which would sharpen the distinction between Israel and the settlements. The resolution is to be published Monday, at the conclusion of the council’s meeting in Brussels.
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Hamas spokesman Azat al-Ghashek, a member of the Hamas political bureau, said Monday the European stance on labeling goods from the settlements is a step in the right direction, but is not enough considering the crimes Israel conducts against the Palestinian people and its land.
"European Union nations must rove today that they favor the values of justice and freedom and humanity, and support the Palestinian people," he said.
The EU draft resolution stresses the distinction Europe makes between Israel and the settlements, stating: “The EU will continue to unequivocally and explicitly make the distinction between Israel and all territories occupied by Israel in 1967. EU agreements with the State of Israel are only applicable to the State of Israel [and not to the settlements]. The EU and its member states are united in their commitment to ensure full implementation of existing EU legislation and agreements applicable to settlement products. The EU reaffirms its decision [to label settlement products] and doesn’t consider it a boycott of Israel, which the EU opposes.”