17 European governments recently published online guidance warning their citizens and businesses about risks involved in trade and other economic links with illegal Israeli settlements. Measures are welcome but Israel’s persistent human rights violations must be met with more impacting consequences.
At least 12 more European governments published online guidance warning their citizens and businesses about risks involved in trade and other economic links with illegal Israeli settlements on Thursday and Friday, bringing the total number of countries to publish such advice to 17.
The statements warn businesses about the economic, legal and reputational ‘risks’ of economic ties with illegal Israeli settlements and state that firms should be aware of the ‘possible abuses of the rights of individuals’ such transactions may contribute to.
The announcements are part of a wider effort coordinated among European states prompted by lobbying by civil society organisations such as the European Coordination of Associations for Palestine and MEPs, who have been arguing that governments should do more to prevent European firms from trading with or providing services to illegal Israeli settlements.
Related: Britain’s Largest Trade Union: Israel is an Apartheid State
