Settlement Products: The Issues

Why Boycott Settlement Products? 
The campaign to boycott settlement products is based on the illegality of the Israeli settlements in the West Bank.  By ending economic support for the settlements, the aim is to increase pressure on the Israeli Government to abide by international law, including dismantling the settlements.
Israeli settlements are illegal under international law.  The Hague Regulations prohibit an occupying power from undertaking permanent changes in the occupied area.  The 4th Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, Article 49, states “The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies.”

What are the effects of settlements?
Israeli settlements can only be constructed as a result of the confiscation of Palestinian property, thereby leaving Palestinians without land and the ability to use this land for economic purposes such as agriculture, quarrying, etc.  For example, in the Jordan Valley, over 95% of the land is now controlled by the settlers of Israeli military.
Due to the extensive network of settler roads and restrictions on Palestinians accessing their own land, Israeli settlements now control over 40% of the West Bank. 
Settlement expansion in East Jerusalem is part of a policy of illegal annexation to ensure there is no possibility of a Palestinian capital in Jerusalem.
Settler violence towards Palestinians has increased dramatically.  In January 2010, The UN produced a report warning that 250,000 Palestinians were vulnerable to attacks by settlers. 

Gush Shalom, an Israeli peace organisation has a major focus on the boycott of settlement goods in its work.  For a list of Frequently Asked Questions, prepared by Gush Shalom, please click here (PDF file 38 Kb)