“IDF Radio" (Galei Zahal) reports that 20 Israeli companies have signed a contract to develop the new Palestinian city of Rawabi, located north of Ramallah. As part of the contract, the companies promised not to use raw materials, products or services originating in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, east Jerusalem, or the Golan Heights.
The contract with the Rawabi administration stipulates, "It is the responsibility of the company to verify that the origin all the goods and services are not in Israeli settlements."
The commitment has infuriated Israel's right wing. Knesset Economics Affairs Committee chairman MK Carmel Shama (Likud) said that he would convene an emergency meeting next week. "Israeli companies are supposed to boycott the boycotters of Israel, not join the foul wave of international hypocrisy and harming the country's economy," he said.
The Land of Israel lobby in the Knesset announced that it will submit a bill this week to ban Israeli economies from boycotting Israeli products. Right-wing activist Itamar Ben Gavir announced that he "will settle accounts" with any Israeli company that signs the agreement. "We will launch a counter boycott," he said.
Yesha Council chairman Danny Dayan told "Galei Zahal" that the public should boycott the companies. "Scores of activists are ready to sign this clause, call our capital "occupied Jerusalem" in order to make a few pennies' profit from Arabs. I think that this is despicable. The names of the companies that signed this shameful contract should be disclosed, and consumers should know how these companies treat Jerusalem," he said.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 28, 2010
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