Afət Ziyadqızı
France is preparing to impose restrictions on imports of goods produced in Israeli settlements located in the West Bank.
The Operative Information Center-OMM reports that French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot made the announcement.
According to Barrot, Paris will either impose trade restrictions at the national level or support similar measures at the European level.
Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom have also said they are considering national restrictions on products from Israeli settlements, supporting European measures or taking other steps.
A joint statement by the foreign ministers of the 12 countries said that the Israeli government’s activities in the West Bank were undermining prospects for a two-state solution.
France’s decision comes amid the failure to reach an agreement within the European Union on collective measures concerning trade with Israeli settlements. A French diplomatic source said Paris could no longer wait because of the situation and had decided to act at the national level.
The precise details of the restrictions and the date they will take effect have not yet been determined. Officials stressed that the measures would apply specifically to goods produced in settlements, rather than to all Israeli products.
Paris said the expansion of Israeli settlements was making the creation of a viable Palestinian state increasingly difficult. Israel’s plans to develop the E1 area in the West Bank have also raised serious concern in France and among much of the international community.
The French diplomatic source described the increase in violence by residents of Israeli settlements as unacceptable and said it posed a growing threat to regional stability.
France-Israel relations have reportedly deteriorated further in recent months after Paris supported international efforts to recognize a Palestinian state.
