In a strongly worded response, Eugene Kontorovich from the Kohlet Policy Forum in Jerusalem, likened this latest ruling to Nazi policy during the Holocaust: "The European Court is approving putting a new kind of 'Yellow Star' on Jewish-made products."
The US State Department was also quick to condemn the legislation's "anti-Israel bias." The statement went on to say: "This requirement serves only to encourage, facilitate, and promote boycotts, divestments and sanctions (BDS) against Israel."
The EU's ruling has political and security implications far beyond simply food packaging. It represents a dangerous step towards the full delegitimization of the Golan Heights, Judea and Samaria. The Palestinian Authority is already seizing on the opportunity to push further towards that goal.
Senior Fatah official Saeb Erekat issued a statement immediately after the EU ruling expressing his pleasure at the decision but calling on lawmakers to take it one step further and ban so-called 'settlement products' altogether from the international market. A cunning and perilous game is being played by Israel's enemies who see this legislation as a tool to weaken (and—if they had their way—destroy) the State of Israel.
Now, more than ever, those of us who love Israel must take a stand and support the besieged farmers and producers in the Golan, Judea and Samaria. We can do our part to buy their goods and to tell others around us the truth about Israel and BDS.