by Ilgin Karlidag

BRUSSELS

The European Union policy on labeling goods imported from Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land is insufficient, experts said.

"The move by the EU to correctly label Israeli settlement products is a small move in the right direction," Hugh Lovatt,  Israel/Palestine Project Coordinator at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told Anadolu Agency on Friday. "However far more must be done to deepen and expand EU measures to differentiate imports from Israel from those from settlements."

On Wednesday, the EU released guidelines to help European consumers differentiate between products originating from Israel and those originating from Israeli settlements on the occupied territories of Palestine.

While EU foreign ministers decided in 2012 to label products made in occupied Palestinian territories, Brussels had delayed the guidelines. The U.K., Belgium and Denmark are already labeling goods produced from settlements.

"The EU was quick enough to act when Russia illegally annexed Crimea, yet we welcome these guidelines released on Wednesday on labeling of illegal produce. This shows just how slow the EU's actions have been when it comes to Israel," Alyn Smith, Member of the European Parliament for the Scottish National Party, told Anadolu Agency.

"It is clear European consumers want more clarity, more transparency on the produce they buy from illegal Israeli settlements," Smith said. "It is equally clear that while these guidelines will have limited economic impact, they will underline to the Israelis that the EU is finally starting to get serious," he added.

Relations between Israel and the EU have soured as the country was quick to denounce the 28-nation bloc’s decision as "discriminatory" and damaging to peace efforts with Palestinians.

"The European Union should be ashamed of itself," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in Washington on Wednesday, adding: "We do not accept the fact that Europe is labeling the side being attacked by terrorist acts."

Palestinian National Economy Minister Abeer Odeh on Wednesday welcomed the decision, which he said was "a step in the right direction and will go towards delegitimizing products made on Israeli settlements built on [stolen] Palestinian land." 

"To be clear, the EU guidelines are a reminder that we recognize Israel's right to exist and has a right to expect security within its own borders," Alyn Smith said. "[But] this does not give Israel a right to illegally occupy Palestinian land or allow settlers to illegally occupy Palestinian land and exploit it for their profit." 

The European Union has repeatedly called for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the European Parliament voted for a non-binding resolution calling for recognition of Palestine as a state in December

"Confronting the Israeli public with the choice between deepening ties with either the outside world or with the settlements in the hope of moving them towards de-occupation will ultimately be the only way to achieve a peaceful two-state solution," Hugh Lovatt said.