Report: Israel, EU conducting secret talks over settlement labeling plan
Israel has started to engage in low key diplomatic talks with the European Union to hash out strained relations stemming from the bloc’s settlement labeling plan, Israel Radio reported on Wednesday.
The EU stands firm in its decision to label products made over the Green Line, however it is reportedly willing to provide Israel compensation in order to resume suspended EU involvement in diplomatic dialogue on peace efforts with the Palestinians.
According to a report initially published by Ha’aretz, officials in Jerusalem said the Israeli and EU sides were jointly discussing moves to work toward restoring relations.
In November, Jerusalem suspended diplomatic dialogue with the EU for a few weeks to strongly protest Brussel’s decision to publish the legislation guidelines that allow member states to place consumer labels “Not made in Israel” on products produced over the Green Line.
The European Union in January reinforced its position that products made in Israeli settlements must be clearly labelled in Europe, despite growing tensions with Israel over the issue, but stressed that the bloc opposes any boycott of the Jewish state.