“Major European Cities Cut Ties with Israel Over Apartheid Politics, Trade Boycott Ensues”

International

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – A number of major European cities are now cutting ties with Israel, including trade in goods and services. To quote Algeria and Middle East Eyes Monday (1/5/2023), at least three cities are doing this throughout 2023.

The most recent termination of relations was carried out by the city in Belgium, Liege, last week. Israel is considered to have carried out apartheid politics for the harassment it has committed to Palestinians.

“The motion was introduced by the Belgian Labor Party (PTB) and approved by city officials,” the media wrote.

“The Israeli government is running an apartheid regime, occupation and military occupation of Palestine,” he added.

“The PTB calls for the suspension of all relations with Israel until it takes action to end what it calls ‘systematic violations’ of the rights of the Palestinian people,” he wrote.

This call also calls for a national boycott of Israeli goods and services produced in the occupied Palestinian territories. The motion urges other cities around the world to follow the same lead.

Meanwhile, the BDS Palestine National Committee (BNC) applauded the decision and called on other cities to support the Palestinian cause. In January 2021, the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem said its country had adopted a policy of “dividing, segregating and governing” Palestinians, who have rights that are “lower” than those accorded to Jewish citizens.

Oslo and Barcelona

Previously, the Norwegian capital, Oslo, did the same thing last week. The Scandinavian city has changed its procurement policy to exclude companies contributing to the expansion of Israeli settlements, which are considered war crimes under international law.

February, Barcelona has done it first with the official announcement of Mayor Ada Colau. He told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that ties between the Spanish city and Israel will be severed until “the Israeli authorities stop the systematic violations of the human rights of the Palestinian people”.

The decision followed a campaign by activists that resulted in an official petition being run through Barcelona’s city hall. More than 4,000 signatures urging the municipality to cut ties with Israel.

It is known that in 2015, the Dutch city of Amsterdam has also canceled its desire to become Tel Aviv’s “brother”. This is also because of concerns about Israel’s human rights situation.

(sef/sef)