PA to boycott companies heeding Boycott Law

           After Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted Wednesday he stands behind the newly approved Boycott Law, the Palestinian Authority now threatens to boycott any Israeli company that will heed the law. The Palestinian Authority's Economic Minister Dr. Hassan Abu Libdeh said Wednesday that "Palestinians plan to boycott Israeli companies that will obey the Boycott Law." According to Abu Libdah, "The decision made by the Israeli government to approve this law proves Israel is setting the ground for the option of one, bi-national state." He called upon private companies who plan to boycott settlement products to not adhere to "this illegitimate" law. According to the Maan news agency, Abu Libdah said during a press conference on Wednesday that "Israel is attempting to force a certain reality, to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. It's part of the mechanism of the occupation." The minister stressed that the PA will "put a great deal of effort to awaken the public opinion of the international community when it comes to the active steps taken by Israel to annex the West Bank." "The PA will continue to boycott settlement products and work to remove the settlements from the lives and homes of the Palestinian people," he added. Meanwhile, the spokesman for European Union foreign policy Chief Catherine Ashton said she is concerned about the effect of the Boycott Law on the freedom of speech of Israeli citizens and non-violent political organizations. In Washington however officials are still avoiding making a clear statement on the issue.(08,41)