US Senate approves bill protecting Israeli settlements

‘The US Senate approved the Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 on Wednesday in a move which is clearly designed to protect illegal Israeli settlements built across the occupied Palestinian territories, Al-Quds newspaper has reported. The act is intended to counter boycott and divestment initiatives, including the labelling of goods originating in the settlements. Such activities will now be “against US law and consequently illegal”, even though international law deems all settlements to be illegal. One of the senators who worked on the legislation is Ben Cardin of Maryland, a known supporter of Israel.

Media reports said that this law has caused widespread controversy because of attempts by certain senators to link America’s deal over Iran’s nuclear programme to the approval of several trade acts and agreements with various international interest groups, including Israel’s illegal settlements.’

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