French Lawmakers Urged to Ban West Bank Settlement Products
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
Thirteen NGOs urged French lawmakers on Thursday to approve a bill banning products from West Bank settlements, set for debate on November 19. The legislation, already passed by a committee, would prohibit the import, purchase, and sale of settlement goods. This action follows France's earlier stated intention to ban such trade due to rising settler violence.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Thirteen NGOs urged French lawmakers to pass a bill banning products from West Bank settlements.
- The proposed legislation is scheduled for a general debate on November 19.
- The bill specifically prohibits the import, purchase, or sale of goods from West Bank settlements.
- NGOs called on the government to explicitly support the bill, citing previous statements by the Foreign Minister.
- Oxfam France stated that trade with settlements obscures the human reality of Palestinians.
- The Human Rights League said lawmakers must choose between supporting or opposing international law.
Thirteen NGOs on Thursday called on French lawmakers to pass a bill that would ban products originating from settlements in the occupied West Bank. The proposed legislation, supported by over 100 deputies from eight parliamentary groups and already approved by the relevant committee, is scheduled for a general debate on November 19. The bill specifically prohibits the import, purchase, or sale of goods from West Bank settlements.
In a joint statement, the organizations, including the French branch of Amnesty International, Oxfam France, and the Human Rights League, urged the government to explicitly support the bill. This call follows earlier statements by Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who indicated two months prior that France intended to ban such commercial dealings.
Cécile Duflot, Director General of Oxfam France, stated that trade with settlements obscures the human reality of Palestinians whose lives are gradually being choked by the occupation and settlement activity. The head of the Human Rights League added that lawmakers face a simple choice: to be for or against international law.
The NGOs also implored the executive branch to direct the parliamentary majority to vote in favor of the bill. They expressed regret that diplomatic recognition of a Palestinian state has not been accompanied by concrete measures. The increase in settler violence in September led several countries, including France, to announce their intention to impose sanctions on trade with settlements. A French parliamentary committee had previously adopted the draft bill on Monday.
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