Ramallah: Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah on Monday urged the European Union (EU) to ban Israeli settlement products from entering Europe.
At a meeting here with Christian Berger, director for Middle East at the European External Action Service, Hamdallah said the Israeli settlements are illegitimate under international law, Xinhua news agency reported.
He urged EU states to upgrade Palestinian diplomatic representations and fully recognise the Palestinian state.
Secretary General of Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Saeb Erekat had earlier voiced disappointment at the EU’s position at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) with regards to Israeli settlement products.
UNHRC adopted a resolution to “blacklist” companies that operate in Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
The resolution was passed by 32 votes in favour, while 15 members, including the EU, abstained. None voted against.
The issue of settlements was believed to be one of the major sticking points that led to the failure in 2014 of the last round of peace talks, sponsored by the US, between Israel and the Palestinians.
IANS