EU Bans Dairy Products from ’Israeli’ Settlements

Local Editor

The European Union [EU] has decided to ban imports of dairy products made in "Israeli" settlements of the occupied West Bank as of January.

According to the decision, the EU will no longer recognize the authority of inspection agencies over the pre-1967 lines and without such an inspection the dairy products from those areas, including occupied East al-Quds and the "Israeli"-occupied Golan Heights, cannot be distributed in the European states.

"Israel's" Agriculture Ministry has informed all dairy firms about the upcoming ban.
"As of January 1, 2015, it will no longer be possible to export dairy products produced over the Green Line, either directly or indirectly," the ministry said.

The ministry meanwhile sought to minimize the ban, alleging that the move would incur a minimal financial loss as dairy exports to the EU make up a small fraction.

Moreover, European countries have grown increasingly vocal about their opposition to illegal "Israeli" settlements.
Recently in June, a similar ban was applied to poultry. "Israeli" officials have called the issue significant because of its diplomatic implications.

Currently, more than half a million "Israelis" who live in more than 120 settlements built since "Israel's" occupation of the West Bank, including occupied East al-Quds in 1967.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team