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- Syrians take to the streets amid reports of more explosions
Boycotting Israeli Settlements made-Products…A Good step which needs more support
One of the subjects which are worth discussing is the Israeli settlement – made products. In the latest report which the Israeli first channel made one can [singlepic id=180 w=300 h=220 float=right] easily notice that the Israeli settlements are facing many obstacles in marketing their products to the Palestinian territories and many companies around the world.
President Mahmoud Abbas signed legislation banning the sale of Israeli settlements products in the Palestinian territories. The Palestinian leadership stated that this step was made to put an end to the support which the Israeli settlements are getting by the Palestinians when they buy the Israeli products. Some of the Israelis who own plants in the settlements claimed that the Palestinian workers were prevented by the Palestinian authority from going to work in the settlements. The Israeli businessmen also stated in the Israeli first channel report that they are afraid that this ban would develop and include the European Union in the future. One of them said that the Israeli policy which includes checkpoints and actions made to make the Palestinians life difficult push them to make such decisions that could result in an economical crises in Israel.
Many organizations work around the world to invest in boycotting the Israeli goods. One of them is Boycott Divestment Sanctions. They consider themselves a non-violent response to Israeli apartheid and Occupation. One of there actions was made against Ahava Company which sells beauty products and works in the West Bank. Another organization which works to boycott Israeli settlements products is Gosh Hashalom. This organization also works to boycott Israeli products which are made in Israeli settlements. Such organizations work to support the Palestinian farmers which are not allowed to use their lands for farming and try to put an end to the settlements control of the sources in the West Bank.
The Israeli leadership is not really accepting such campaigns and some of its officials called to create a pressure on the Palestinian authority to stop its campaigns against the Israeli settlements. Israel’s deputy minister of foreign affairs Dani Ayalon called to create a pressure on the Palestinian leadership in the coming negotiations to put an end for the current campaign. It seems to be that the Israeli leadership does not understand until today that none of the occupied territories is a property of the state of Israel. These territories were occupied and according to the International Law Israel is not allowed to change anything in them or the law which used to be applied in them until they are returned to their owners. Instead the Israeli leadership is already making signs which can be understood to expect the result of the possible indirect talks that are supposed to start soon between Israeli and the Palestinian authority.
If Israeli officials want to use the next talks in order to create pressure on the Palestinians in issues such as the settlement’s products then Israel seems to be far away from any real improvement that can be made through negotiations. The Israeli leadership and unfortunately most of the Israeli people want to continue in controlling the occupied territories, to block Gaza and Judaize East Jerusalem. The Palestinian leadership and the International community must continue to monitor Israel’s actions in the occupied territories in order to protect the credibility of the peace process. Israel seems to be interested in any kind of talks with the Palestinians not for the sake of an improvement in the peace process but only to escape from the pressures which it is facing.
I’m sure that boycotting a company that makes lotions and fingernail cream is going to change the government policies. That’s idiotic.