'Postpone EU-Israel trade accord vote'

A group of Socialist-Democratic (SD) MEPS have asked for a European Parliament vote on a new EU-Israel trade agreement to be postponed for two years, because it is not in line with the European Union's (EU) foreign policy on Israel. SD MEPs say that a protocol in the accord could give an unfair advantage to Israeli products, regardless of their origin in Israel or the Territories, and that it contrasts with the EU's stance on what it has more than once called, 'illegal Israeli settlements.' This follows an initial go-ahead by the Trade Committee of the European Parliament. "Today's vote", said MEP Vital Moreira, "is not in line with EU foreign policy. Bolstering the partnership between the EU and Israel at this time would undermine EU condemnation of Israeli politics with regards to the Palestinians, in particular, Gaza blockades." "Since Israel's political course hasn't changed", continued Moreira, "we have requested a two year postponement of the final decision on the accord". Vice-president of the European Parliament Social-Democrats, Veronique de Keyser, asked that "products from the occupied Territories are not allowed to be considered 'commercially legal' or to be included in the accord".