Switzerland imposes fees on products of the Israeli settlements

The spokeswoman for the state's secretariat for economic affairs Rita Baldeher said yesterday that Switzerland decided to impose temporarily fees on the Israeli exports which are suspected to have come from settlements built on the Palestinian lands.

The spokeswoman explained that the authorities " will keep these fees until the source of certain products is specified."

Worthy mentioning that goods Israel exports to Switzerland are exempted from customs fees with the exception of those produced in settlements established on the lands occupied in 1967. This is, however, according to an agreement reached within the context of the European society for free exchange which includes Switzerland and Israel as members. During the two past years the society saw the certificate of origin of 650 Israeli produce but seems so far unable to make a distinction between the Israeli products and those that come from the settlements. The spokeswoman said that it seems it is very difficult to get necessary information to explain this issue. She indicated that the Israeli replies the Switzerland costumes receive are often incomplete and not clear.