PLO welcomes EU guidelines banning dealings with Israeli settlements

The Palestine Liberation Organization Tuesday welcomed European Union guidelines banning dealings with Israeli settlements, describing this step as a “significant move.” PLO Executive Committee member Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement that “We welcome this significant move that calls for all EU projects to be conducted within pre-1967 lines and not in East Jerusalem, the West Bank or Golan Heights.” This includes the prohibition of funding, cooperation and research funding, among other things, to any individual or institution in the illegal settlements, it said. “The EU has moved from the level of statements, declarations and denunciations to effective policy decisions and concrete steps which constitute a qualitative shift that will have a positive impact on the chances of peace,” said Ashrawi. “The Israeli occupation must be held to account, and Israel must comply with international and humanitarian law and the requirements for justice and peace,” she stressed.