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Miliband in showdown over West Bank exports
Ed Harris17 Nov 2008
FOREIGN Secretary David Miliband was today on a collision course with Israeli leaders over "illegal" exports of food to Britain from Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
He wants fellow European members to impose tighter control on imports from the settlements, some of which are admitted at European ports as the produce of Israel and enjoy tariff benefits under an Israel-EU treaty.
Consumer groups fear that unless products such as cherry tomatoes, avocados and bananas are clearly labelled, British shoppers could mistakenly buy them under the impression that they are helping impoverished Palestinian farmers. Britain considers the settlements illegal under international law.
The move has infuriated Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert, who sees it as an attempt to force his hand on the issue of the settlements. Mr Miliband was today due to press the matter during his two-day visit to the Middle East.
A senior diplomat told an Israeli newspaper: "This initiative is a serious and substantial problem in relations between the two countries, and is generating a sense of crisis."
Palestinians officials want a ban on dealings with companies based in the settlements.
Reader views (3)
Miliband should be talking about sanctions against Israel until they get off the stolen land. An outrage.
- Alan Rex, London, England, 17/11/2008 17:39
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Here here Mr M. For too long the Isreali's have got away with occupying another state. The World needs to see what they are doing and support the Palestinians.
- Dan, London, 17/11/2008 16:53
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Good for Mr Miliband. It is grossly misleading of supermarkets to sell produce labelled "West Bank" which creates the misleading impression they are Palestinian goods, when in fact they are grown by settlers on stolen Arab land.
- Terry Wilson, South Woodford, 17/11/2008 13:12
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