South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry has announced that products produced by Israeli companies in Judea and Samaria (Shomron) cannot be labeled as products of Israel. Minister Rob Davies issued an announcement warning merchants “not to incorrectly label products that originate from the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) as products of Israel.”

The announcement follows a year-long campaign by pro-Palestinian Authority groups.

Denmark is planning a similar step, and will mark all products from Judea and Samaria with a special sticker. A minister explained the policy aims to give customers “full information” regarding products’ origins.

While pro-PA groups fight to mark Judea and Samaria-produced products in an attempt to pressure Israel, the step is likely to hurt PA residents more than it hurts Israeli employers. Israel’s factories in Judea and Samaria employ a total of over 10,000 PA Arabs, doing much to reduce the PA’s high rate of unemployment.

Yesha (Judea and Samaria) Council head Danny Dayan said in response, “It was not at all surprising that the one making this decision, South African Industry and Trade Minister Rob Davies, is Jewish. Once again it is proven that Jews from the extreme left are the proud leaders of the anti-Israel propaganda campaign.”

Dayan mentioned J Street and Richard Goldstone as others proving the same theory. “We will overcome,” he concluded.

MK Danny Danon (Likud) said he has turned to the South African Foreign Minister asking him to explain the move. He called on Israel to cool its ties with South Africa “to send a message to the whole world – Judea and Samaria are an indivisible part of the state of Israel.” (IsraelNationalNews © 2012 05/19/12)