§ Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made on the implementation of the interim agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the EU and Israel in respect of verifying the accuracy of the labelling of goods as Made in Israel; and if the agreement will prohibit the labelling of goods produced in part or wholly in(a) illegal Israeli settlements, (b) East Jerusalem, (c) the Golan Heights, (d) the West Bank and (e) the Gaza Strip as Made in Israel. [43351]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonOn 13 May, the European Commission adopted a Communication to the Council on the implementation of the Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the European Community and Israel. This Communication is now being studied at a technical level by Member States and the Commission.
§ Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made on the implementation of the interim agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the EU and Israel in respect of monitoring human rights abuses in the occupied territories and the Israeli Government response to those abuses. [43352]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonThe EU continues to monitor closely the human rights situation in Israel. The EU attaches great importance to this subject, which is reflected in the terms of the EC/Israel Interim Agreement. EU Heads of Mission regularly report to the Council on the human rights situation in Israel and the Occupied Territories. A summary of the last report was released on 15 May. Member States, including the UK, also raise human rights in their bilateral contacts with Israel. The EU/Israel Association Agreement awaits ratification by all Member States. The EU/Israel Association Council set up under that agreement should also provide a welcome new forum for discussion of human rights.