Ashrawi calls on Netherlands to comply with the EU High Court ruling on settlement products
RAMALLAH, Thursday, November 21, 2019 (WAFA) — Hanan Ashrawi, Palestinian spokesperson and member of the Executive Committee of the PLO, expressed dismay today at the motion adopted by the Dutch House of Representatives calling for non-compliance with the European High Court’s ruling on the proper labeling of Israeli settlement products.
“We are dismayed at the motion adopted by the Dutch House of Representatives on Wednesday calling for non-compliance with the European High Court’s ruling on the proper labeling of Israeli settlement products. This motion is incompatible with the Netherlands’ obligations under international law and EU regulations,” she said in a statement.
In this regard, Ashrawi welcomed the Dutch Foreign Minister’s affirmation of the Netherlands’ commitment to comply with the ruling and called upon the Dutch government to implement it without delay.
She continued, “Further, we regret the Dutch government’s decision to stop its direct assistance to the Palestinian budget and tie that decision with the Palestinian law on prisoners in Israeli detention. The Palestinian leadership is committed to the rights of all its citizens, including those subjected to Israel’s pervasive and systematic human rights abuses in the context of its policy of mass incarceration of Palestinians.”
The PLO official also reaffirmed that “only ending the Israeli occupation and its illegal practices can put an end to the plight of Palestinian prisoners, who have rights under international law that Israel continues to violate with impunity.”
She said despite the differences with the Dutch government on this issue, the Palestinians “welcome its commitment to the two-state solution, ending the occupation, and the establishment of a viable Palestinian state as well as its affirmation of the illegality of Israeli settlements.”
Meanwhile, the Palestinian leadership welcomed Luxembourg’s call upon EU members to recognize Palestine.
“This is a principled and courageous position that reflects Luxembourg’s commitment to the Palestinian people’s inalienable rights to self-determination and freedom as well as its respect for international law. It also reflects its readiness to confront the implications of the reckless US policies with positive steps that advance the prospects of peace and justice. We call on all EU members to heed Luxembourg’s call,” Ashrawi concluded.
