EU envoy says growing support among member states for labeling goods from Israeli settlements

JERUSALEM – The outgoing EU envoy to the Middle East says there is growing support among the 28 member states for labeling Israeli products, seen by some as a possible precursor to a consumer boycott.

Andreas Reinicke said Thursday that the number of EU states in favor of labeling has grown from two to 14 since he assumed his post nearly two years ago and that momentum is growing.

Speaking from Brussels, Reinicke said discussions on EU-wide labeling were put on hold after Israeli-Palestinian peace talks resumed five months ago.

Instead, the EU earlier this week promised Israelis and Palestinians unprecedented access to Europe if they reach a deal.

Reinicke says that if talks fail, discussions on labeling and other possible sanctions, including scaling back aid for the Palestinians, could resume.