PLO hails EU decision to ban trade with Israeli settlements

The Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) said Thursday that the European Union's decision to ban dealing with Israeli settlements conforms with the resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations, which raised the status of Palestine to an observer "state". A PLO statement said that this development in European position confirms the illegitimacy of settlements and occupation, saying it is an important political step in support of the national rights of the Palestinian people. The European decision bans any funding or cooperation with institutions or individuals or organizations from the settlements in the West Bank, including those built on Al-Quds lands. The Executive Committee said that the international community has become convinced that the current Israeli government only believes in expanding settlement, looting land, and destroying facilities vital for Palestinian's livelihood, and also insists on opposing any international effort to revive the political process and lay the foundations for peace and stability in the region