RAMALLAH, Thursday, June 11, 2020 (WAFA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riyad al-Malki said today that the European Court of Human Rights’ ruling today on the French highest court’s 2015 criminal conviction of activists with the BDS movement was a victory for all defenders and advocates of human rights, international justice and independence of nations.

“This is a decisive victory for freedom of expression and the BDS movement, and is a painful blow to Israel and its allies, as well to the oppressive colonial policies and practices of the occupation,” said al-Malki in a statement.

He said the ruling was an important step in the right path, and reflects the moral commitment of the European Union countries and peoples to fighting Israeli colonialism and boycotting settlement products, and all forms of oppression, exploitation and deprivation of the inalienable rights of peoples.

“European judicial rulings at the highest levels are an important step towards completely preventing settlement products from entering European and international markets, in line with the international resolutions and obligations, including imposing political and economic sanctions on Israel for its grave breaches of international law,” said the Foreign Minister.

He pointed out that “respect for international law and human rights by the European Union countries will contribute to restoring consideration to the international multilateral system based on international law, which the current US administration and its ally, Israel, are trying to undermine.”

Al-Malki called on the European Union countries to respect this ruling, which complements previous rulings and resolutions on Israeli settlements, including the resolution of the European Court of Justice in 2019 regarding the necessity of labelling settlement-manufactured products.

M.N