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Palestinian President Joins Boycott of Israeli Settlements

   Robert Berger | Jerusalem 22 May 2010

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

   Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas hold a sticker for the campaign to
   boycott  and  ban  Israeli  settlement  products  from the Palestinian
   territories,  in  the  West  Bank  city of Ramallah, Saturday, May 22,
   2010.

   New  Middle  East  peace  talks  do  not  mean  a new era of goodwill.
   Economic sanctions are the source of the latest row between Israel and
   the Palestinians.
   Palestinian  President Mahmoud Abbas has joined an economic boycott of
   Jewish   settlements.   Mr.   Abbas  opened  his  door  to  volunteers
   distributing  leaflets  detailing products from the settlements banned
   by  the Palestinian Authority that rules the West Bank. These products
   include wine, soft drinks, furniture and plumbing equipment.
   Palestinian  activist  Haitham  Kayali, said, "Palestinian grassroots,
   volunteers,  are  leading  this  campaign,  going around from house to
   house,  providing  people  with the information needed that would help
   them  get  rid  of  settlement  products;  and they encourage them, of
   course, to replace it with Palestinian products instead."
   President  Abbas  put  a  sticker  on  his  door  which  said that his
   conscience   is  clear  and  that  there  are  no  products  from  the
   settlements in his house.
   The boycott coincides with the beginning of indirect peace talks after
   a   17-month  break.  The  Palestinians  and  international  community
   consider  the  settlements an obstacle to peace because they are built
   on land the Palestinians seek for a future state. Israeli construction
   in  the  West Bank and East Jerusalem had, until now, scuttled efforts
   by the United States to resume negotiations.
   The  timing of the boycott has infuriated Israel. Government spokesman
   Yigal  Palmor  said, "At this precise moment when peace talks, however
   fragile  and  timid,  are being re-launched, this is probably the most
   destructive  message  that can be conveyed from the Palestinians. This
   is highly regrettable."
   The  boycott  could  cost  Israel  $500 million a year. The Council of
   Jewish Settlements describes it as "economic terrorism."

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