PA Bans Settlement Products from West Bank

Acting Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas on Monday "issued a law banning trade in goods made in settlements," Abbas' legal adviser Hassan al-Awri said in comments quoted by Reuters on Monday.

The occupying regime continues to defy the international community's call for a halt to the illegal settlement construction in the West Bank, which the Zionists occupied in 1967 and later annexed.

The Palestinians have made the enforcement of a permanent and complete freeze on settlement expansion in the entire occupied territories a condition for the resumption of so-called talks with the enemy.

"There is an international consensus that the settlements are illegal and therefore it is unacceptable to support them," Abbas' aide added.

The trade ban is meant to rid Palestinian markets of goods made by settlers. It is also hoped to encourage the 27-member European Union to likewise prohibit trade with enterprises based in the settlements.

Al-Awri said violators of the restrictions would face jail terms and fines.