Settlement Wine Labeling Push Is Reversed By Canada
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(JTA) — Canadian authorities withdrew a guideline that prevented goods produced in the West Bank from being labeled “Made in Israel.”
In a statement released Thursday, the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency said that two wines that had fallen under the labeling ban did in fact “adhere” to the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement and could be sold as labeled.
The two wines, both produced in the West Bank, were temporarily withdrawn from liquor store shelves in the province of Ontario, raising an uproar among Jewish groups and Israeli diplomats.
Jewish organizations that lobbied heavily against the labeling restriction welcomed the news.
“We are excited and relieved to hear that through the actions of CIJA and the response of the Government of Canada, CFIA has revoked this directive and affirmed that these products can be sold without relabeling,” read a statement from the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, the advocacy arm of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto.
The CIJA and other Jewish groups objected that the labeling restrictions unfairly singled out Israel for censure and aided the efforts of the Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment movement targeting Israel.
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