Ministers Urge EU to Go Ahead With Labeling Jewish Settlement Goods

Sixteen European Union foreign ministers have urged EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini to press ahead with EU-wide rules requiring goods made in Jewish settlements to be labeled as such, diplomats said on Thursday. Some EU countries already issue guidance to shops so consumers can see if goods are made in settlements -- occupied land that the Palestinians want for a future state -- rather than within Israel's recognized borders. The letter, from 16 of the EU's 28 capitals, including Britain and France, comes as some EU governments have been losing patience with Israel over continued settlement-building, the breakdown of peace efforts and Benjamin Netanyahu's comments before last month's election ruling out a Palestinian state as long as he remains prime minister.