John Gatt-Rutter, the European Union Representative in Jerusalem, Monday confirmed that the EU is still considering labelling the products of the illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine.
He denied, during a lecture held in the Arab American University in Jenin about EU’s position regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, what has been circulating through media about EU’s intention to postpone labelling the illegal products over US intervention.
Gatt-Rutter affirmed that EU and Palestine have deep-rooted relations based on international legitimacy and recognition of the Palestinian right to self-determination and right to establish an independent state within 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He said that labelling these products will make it known to the European consumer that these are the products of illegal settlements in Palestine.
Gatt-Rutter further added that these products will not be given the privileges given to the Israeli products in the European market.
EU’s position regarding settlement activity remains clear and solid; it is illegal, and undermines peace efforts while jeopardizing in the process the dream of a Palestinian state, he said.
Gatt-Rutter also called on Palestinians to hold democratic elections to address the world and gather international support at the international forums.
He also affirmed that the prisoners’ cause receives immense attention by the EU through monitoring their humanitarian and health status and ensuring their rights as prisoners