World

The Soda Club: EU Applies Pressure To Isreal

by peder.sande | August 7, 2009 at 11:01 am

177 views | 0 Recommendations | 3 comments

The Soda Club, an Israeli run company based in the Palestinian West Bank, is being scrutinized under EU trade policies. All Israeli goods imported into the European Union (EU) do not receive duties; however, the Soda Club is operated in an Israel settlement not recognized by the EU. The Hamburg Finance Court must decide to either deny or allow The Soda Club products into Germany with or without a duty. The decision will be a proxy on all EU-Israeli relations due to Israeli settlement in Palestinian occupied land.

Soda-Club's products are at the center of a legal dispute with Germany that could significantly intensify the already heated debate over Israel's settlement policy.

The decision, which inevitably will be passed, is the first restriction the EU has placed on goods imported from Israeli territories and one of the first concrete efforts to apply pressure on Israel. The EU is the second largest importer of Israeli goods after the US, reaching €12 billion in 2008.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

tikun

at 23:38 on August 7th, 2009

This action is not supplying pressure on Israel. Besides, one correction in fair and accurate reporting. It is NOT "Palestinian West Bank". There is no such animal at the moment. Maybe one day but as of this moment there are only former Jordanian citizens living there calling themselves Palestinian. You might want it to be so but in spite of all the rhetoric the facts do not support your comments.

tikun

at 23:40 on August 7th, 2009

The EU is like a rudderless ship in the grasp of the high seas and the shifting winds. It makes statements to appease anyone or anybody that assures them that their enclave will not be attacked. Simply they are spineless creatures of the night. In the end EU will be PU.