European Union's Decision to Boycott Settlements Hailed
The Hamas Movement hailed the European union's decision to ban any type of cooperation between its members and Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
In a press release on Wednesday, Hamas described this European decision as a step in the right direction and said it would help prevent further settlement expansion.
It stressed the need for putting this decision into action, activating the previous boycott decisions against settlement products and taking further steps to curb Israel's settlement activities in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.
Hamas also urged its rivals in Fatah and the Palestinian authority in Ramallah to renounce their wagers on the US-backed talks with Israel, saying that the peace negotiations gives Israel a cover to persist in its settlement and Judaization plans.
For its part, the Palestinian ministry of foreign affairs in Gaza also welcomed the European verdict and described it as "courageous."
Deputy foreign minister Ghazi Hamad stated that this decision confirmed that Israel's settlement activities in the occupied territories are illegal and internationally condemned.
The European Union said on Tuesday it would ban its member states from providing any type of financial assistance to Israeli enterprises operating in the occupied territories, underlining its concern that Israeli settlement-building harms prospects for peace with the Palestinians.
Guidelines adopted by the union's executive commission in late June and expected to be published this week make clear that, from next year, Israeli settlements and outposts operating in the territories will not be eligible for any European financial or educational support.
The European measures will apply to Israeli companies, universities and other bodies operating in areas occupied by Israel since the 1967 war, including the Golan Heights, the West Bank and east Jerusalem.
All settlements in these areas will also be excluded from any future agreements between the European union and Israel.
Source: Palestine info
It stressed the need for putting this decision into action, activating the previous boycott decisions against settlement products and taking further steps to curb Israel's settlement activities in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.
Hamas also urged its rivals in Fatah and the Palestinian authority in Ramallah to renounce their wagers on the US-backed talks with Israel, saying that the peace negotiations gives Israel a cover to persist in its settlement and Judaization plans.
For its part, the Palestinian ministry of foreign affairs in Gaza also welcomed the European verdict and described it as "courageous."
Deputy foreign minister Ghazi Hamad stated that this decision confirmed that Israel's settlement activities in the occupied territories are illegal and internationally condemned.
The European Union said on Tuesday it would ban its member states from providing any type of financial assistance to Israeli enterprises operating in the occupied territories, underlining its concern that Israeli settlement-building harms prospects for peace with the Palestinians.
Guidelines adopted by the union's executive commission in late June and expected to be published this week make clear that, from next year, Israeli settlements and outposts operating in the territories will not be eligible for any European financial or educational support.
The European measures will apply to Israeli companies, universities and other bodies operating in areas occupied by Israel since the 1967 war, including the Golan Heights, the West Bank and east Jerusalem.
All settlements in these areas will also be excluded from any future agreements between the European union and Israel.
Source: Palestine info
