It is crucial to make clear to the European Commission that its current policy concerning the import of settlement products is not consistent and seriously damages its credibility. The EU cannot continue to issue statements on the illegality of the settlements while at the same time it grants trade privileges to products originating from these. The Commission has started to study application of article 38. Once political attention is being drawn to the action of the Commission it is imperative that the EU governments publicly endorse full enforcement of the clause. Support by Palestinian organizations for the EU enforcement of this clause would be important.
Information is needed as to the question which products originate from Israeli settlements.
We hope that Palestinian NGOs will take this issue up and coordinate action with European NGOs. The PA could be asked to present a list of human rights treaties which PA will ratify once there is a Palestinian state. Similarly, although the PA can still not become a party to international human rights conventions, it could be asked to present periodically a report on human rights as if it were already a party to the Convention on Political and Civil Rights. The PA should also be required to withdraw the imposition of capital punishment on those who sell land to Israel.