Galeria Kaufhof, one of Germany’s largest department store chains, says it will continue to sell Israeli “settlement” products even if they do not have the new required label “Made in Settlements.”
The store reiterated a statement last week that it is the importers’ responsibility to follow the new European Union requirement that all products from the Golan Heights, Judea and Samaria be labeled without indicating that they are made in Israel.
Product from the Golan Heights (Israeli settlement)’ or ‘Product from West Bank (Israeli settlement).’
An earlier report carried here quoted Channel 10 as saying that Galeria Kaufhof, which operates more than 100 stores in Germany, is removing “settlement” products from its shelves. The company vehemently denied the report, which also quoted a store manager as saying:
The EU is waging a religious war against Israel. It is one big political madness.
Galeria Kaufhof firmly stated today, as reported by Globes:
Our company has not removed any of those products from the shelves. We import the goods via European importers who are responsible for correct declaration. We do not get involved in politics with our assortment. Our core customer’s demands set the standards for the products we sell.
The company stand is directly opposite that of the large KaDeWe supermarket chain that yanked Golan Heights wines, Ahava cosmetics and other goods from its shelves.
KaDeWe later said the merchandise would be returned after being labeled according to the new EU regulations.
Under the new rules, products are from Arab areas will carry labels declaring: “Product from West Bank (product from Palestine), “Product from West Bank (Palestinian product),” “Product from Gaza (Palestinian product)” or “(product from Palestine).”
However, the EU says the labeling is not intended to recognize the Palestinian Authority as a country.