France, Italy and Spain issued warnings to their citizens against doing business with Jews who live in “unacceptable” sections of Israel.
In Paris, rather than attempt to tackle a wave of Judeophobia unseen since the Vichy government collaborated with the Nazis, the foreign ministry is now pushing French investors and businesspeople not to invest, buy land or do business in Judea, Samaria, eastern Jerusalem or the Golan Heights.
A statement on the foreign ministry’s website advises against investing, purchasing land, or engaging in economic activity in the these territories.
“We call upon citizens or business people who are considering becoming involved in economic activity in the settlements to seek appropriate legal advice before going ahead,” said the foreign ministry statement, according to a translation from the French published on the European Jewish Press website.
EJP quoted a French diplomat, who said the announcement is part of a coordinated effort by Europe’s largest countries — Germany, Britain, France, Italy and Spain — to curtail economic cooperation with Jews who “provoke” Arab violence by living in Hebron, Shilo and the Mount of Olives. In the land of the Inquisition, the Spanish foreign ministry said Judea and Samaria Jews “constitute an obstacle to peace.”
“The potential buyers and investors should know that a future peace accord between Israel and the Palestinians or between Israel and Syria could have consequences both for properties acquired and for economic activities promoted in said settlements. In case of litigation, it could be very difficult for member states to guarantee the protection of their interests,” the Spanish statement said.
However, Madrid quickly clarified that the European boycott does not extend to “acceptable” Jewsish communities such as Tel Aviv and Ranana.
“The statement is not intended as a call for a boycott in any way, or to limit economic cooperation between Spain and Israel within its internationally-recognized borders,” Carlos Entrena Moratiel, a government spokesman, told JTA.