Israel\u2019s\u00a0Yedioth Ahronoth\u00a0<\/i>newspaper has released a report revealing that the Foreign Ministry has acknowledged its inability to face the growing boycott campaign despite resorting to all political and judicial means, which have been ineffective, especially against private companies. The report explained that the ministry has succeeded in putting pressure on some European governments to take a stance against calls to boycott Israel following the resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be useless to launch an anti-boycott campaign to promote settlement products,\u201d said a ministry official. Israel has been able to curb several boycott initiatives, said the report. Even in unfriendly countries, the boycott has not been made law yet; however it is likely that some politicians will push this \u201cdue to the sweeping wave of hostility\u201d towards Israel.<\/p>\n
According to Israeli Finance Minister Yair Lapid, \u201cIf the peace talks with the Palestinians fail, Israel would lose exports worth nearly 20 billion shekels\u201d. Furthermore, he added, the EU might also abolish its partnership with Israel, which means an extra loss of 3.5 billion shekels, mainly in the agriculture sector. Lapid noted that major European food chains, especially in Britain and the Scandinavian countries, have banned settlement products.<\/p>\n
Yedioth Ahronoth<\/i>\u00a0published a list of companies and institutions that implement boycotts against Israel:<\/p>\n
Norway:<\/b>\u00a0The Government Pension Fund of Norway has sold its shares in Africa Israel Investments, Danya Cebus and Sesa Sterlite.<\/p>\n
Germany:<\/b>\u00a0The German Railway Company did not bid to build or operate the train service which runs through the occupied Palestinian territories.<\/p>\n
Belgium:<\/b>\u00a0The Belgian government has cancelled a \u201cTel Aviv \u2013 the White City\u201d exhibition which was scheduled in the capital, Brussels.<\/p>\n
Scotland:<\/b>\u00a0The Edinburgh International Film Festival returned an award granted by the Israeli Embassy in line with its decision to boycott the state.<\/p>\n
Australia:\u00a0<\/b>The Maryville municipality in Sydney province imposed a boycott on Israel and all companies engaged in trade with it. Several pro-Palestinian organisations have called for a boycott of oranges produced in Jaffa and Max Brenner chocolate.<\/p>\n
Netherlands:<\/b>\u00a0The Netherlands\u2019 largest water company, Vitens, has severed ties with Israel\u2019s Mekorot water company. The Dutch Pension Fund has withdrawn all investments from Israeli banks.<\/p>\n
South Africa:<\/b>\u00a0The South African Foreign Minister announced that the cabinet will boycott Israel and will not visit it. The South African Trade and Commerce Union stopped importing an Israeli-made circumcision device.<\/p>\n
Britain:<\/b><\/p>\n Ireland:<\/b><\/p>\n Canada:<\/b><\/p>\n United States:<\/b><\/p>\n\n
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