https://www.redstate.com/alexparker/2019/11/12/european-court-rules-mandate-products-made-israel-must-bear-warning-labels/Incredible: A European Court Rules on the Mandate that Products Made in Israel Must Bear Warning Labels
Posted at 9:27 pm on November 12, 2019 by Alex Parker
Just recently, I wrote that — despite some assertions by AOC and others — largely, Nazis are not a thing.
But then here we are.
As reported by The Washington Free Beacon, leaders in Congress are warning the European Union over warning labels.
Warning labels…
At issue are labels warning that certain products on the market were made in contested areas of Israel.
Remember those yellow stars European Jews had to wear in the 40’s?
Not the same, but not as different as difference should be.
Congress is concerned that the notices could rub against anti-boycott laws and, therefore, hurt U.S. trade with Europe.
An Israeli winery challenged the label requirement placed on businesses in “settlements” and “Israeli colonies,” and the European Court of Justice was expected to issue a ruling in the case Tuesday.
The European Union’s court advocate general already asserted that European law requires the labels.
Anticipating the decision, Democratic Maryland Sen. Bob Menendez implored European Union Ambassador to the U.S. Stavros Lambrinidis to consider the potential havoc it could wreak, given American trade regulations.
Additionally, Republican Sen. Rob Portman and Democratic Sen. Benjamin Cardin delivered a letter to U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer pointing out that Israel is being held to a different standard than any other country.
According to a plea sent to Gordon Sondland — U.S. ambassador to the European Union — by Democratic Rep. Juan Vargas, a ruling in favor of the labels would lead to discrimination against the tiny beleaguered nation.
Lead to??
As per TWFB, trade laws being triggered could result in nearly $1.3 trillion damage in commerce between America and the E.U.
And in case you’re wondering about the policy stipulation, here’s an explanation from Sen. Menendez’s letter:
“The regulation in question is problematic for a number of reasons, including because it targets specific businesses based on the ethnicity and national origin of their owners.”
Here’s more:
“I am deeply concerned that if the CJEU decision empowers the EU to require or allow its Member States to label Israeli and Palestinian products in the manner proposed, it will allow and encourage the politicization of EU rules of origin labeling with potential adverse unintended consequences, including by opening the door to near-unlimited use of ‘ethical considerations’ in food labeling which would enable Member State protectionism and nationalism, and be unhelpful for the EU single market. Additionally, it could facilitate Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) tactics and de facto boycotts and discrimination against Israel, and its products, and potentially lead to discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, religion and nationality, contrary to existing EU policies and laws against BDS campaigns, Israel boycotts and discrimination.”
Update: The court ruled.
From The Guardian:
The European Union’s top court has ruled that EU countries must identify products made in Israeli settlements on their labels, in a decision welcomed by rights groups but likely to spark anger in Israel.
The European court of justice said: “Foodstuffs originating in the territories occupied by the state of Israel must bear the indication of their territory of origin.”
Where are we?
When are we??
-ALEX