French government issued guidance on business involvement with illegal Israeli settlements

The French government issued guidance on business involvement with illegal Israeli settlements, warning citizens against engaging in financial activity or investments in the Israeli settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem or the Golan Heights.

The guidance were published on the French Foreign Ministry’s website:

“Activities in the colonies

The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Gaza and the Golan Heights are occupied by Israel since 1967.

Due to the fact that the settlements are illegal in international law, the performance of financial activity in the settlements such as money transfers, investments, acquisition of property, provision of supplies or the performance of any other economic activities that benefit the settlements involves risks related to the fact that Israeli settlements under international law, are built on occupied lands and are not recognized as part of the territory of Israel.

This could lead to a high likelihood of land disputes or disagreements regarding water, quarries or other natural resources. This involves risk to the image of those who carry out such economic activity. We call upon citizens or businesspeople who are considering becoming involved in economic activity in the settlements to seek appropriate legal advice before going ahead”

In December last year the British government issued guidance on business involvement with illegal Israeli settlements, warning citizens against doing business with individuals or entities in Israeli settlements. Some other european countries are expected to publish similar warnings over the next several days.

http://www.eccpalestine.org/french-foreign-ministry-issued-guidance-on-business-involvement-with-illegal-israeli-settlements/