The European Union has followed up its revelation of new “guidelines” forbidding cooperation with Israeli institutions operating in illegal settlements today, publishing the guidelines and officially affirming them.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had demanded the guidelines be postponed “indefinitely,” with several Israeli officials calling for dramatic retaliation against the EU, and expansion of the settlements out of spite.
EU officials say that the guidelines don’t really change the law, but rather clarify the long-standing EU policy on forbidding support for the settlements, unlawful under international law.
The guidelines forbid people within the EU from any deals with Israeli corporations, public or private, which have links to settlements. The guideline does not cover individual deals with Israeli citizens.
