Miliband in showdown over West Bank exports
FOREIGN Secretary David Miliband was today on a collision course with Israeli leaders over "illegal" exports of food to Britain from Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
He wants fellow European members to impose tighter control on imports from the settlements, some of which are admitted at European ports as the produce of Israel and enjoy tariff benefits under an Israel-EU treaty.
Consumer groups fear that unless products such as cherry tomatoes, avocados and bananas are clearly labelled, British shoppers could mistakenly buy them under the impression that they are helping impoverished Palestinian farmers. Britain considers the settlements illegal under international law.
The move has infuriated Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert, who sees it as an attempt to force his hand on the issue of the settlements. Mr Miliband was today due to press the matter during his two-day visit to the Middle East.
A senior diplomat told an Israeli newspaper: "This initiative is a serious and substantial problem in relations between the two countries, and is generating a sense of crisis."
Palestinians officials want a ban on dealings with companies based in the settlements.
