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US criticizes European court ruling requiring labeling of certain products

“Circumstances surrounding the labeling requirement in the specific facts presented to the court are suggestive of anti-Israel bias,” said U.S. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus.

Psagot Winery lables. Credit: Psagotwines.com.
Psagot Winery lables. Credit: Psagotwines.com.

The United States on Wednesday faulted the Tuesday ruling by the European Court of Justice that disallows products coming from the West Bank, eastern Jerusalem and the Golan Heights to be labeled “made in Israel.”

Specifically, it noted the Psagot Winery case.

“The United States is deeply concerned by the E.U. requirement identified in the decision issued yesterday by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in the Psagot Case,” said U.S. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus. “The circumstances surrounding the labeling requirement in the specific facts presented to the court are suggestive of anti-Israel bias.”

“This requirement serves only to encourage, facilitate and promote BDS against Israel,” she continued. “The United States unequivocally opposes any effort to engage in BDS, or to otherwise economically pressure, isolate or otherwise delegitimize Israel.”

She added that the path towards resolving the Israel-Palestinian conflict is “through direct negotiations. America stands with Israel against efforts to economically pressure, isolate or delegitimize it.”

Jewish and pro-Israel groups slammed the court’s decision.

“It’s difficult to stand among ancient stones and not recognize the power of a people maintaining a connection to places that have shaped their story for thousands of years,” said one participant.
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