Chilean lawmakers seek to sanction imports of Israeli-made goods

Wearing the traditional Palestinian headscarf, Chilean deputies from 12 parties have recently drafted a bill that seeks to sanction merchandise, goods and services imports from Israeli colonies in occupied Palestinian territories, considered illegal by international law, reported by Anadolu News Agency.

The action by parliament is in response to the escalation of violence in which more than 250 Palestinians were killed in May by Israel, and after a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report indicated that there are crimes against humanity, apartheid and persecution in occupied territories.

“This report recommends that the UN member states be able to take action in this regard. It is evident that, like Chile, we can give clear signals that what is happening in Palestinian territory are abhorrent crimes against humanity and we cannot be immune to that,” Sergio Gahona, deputy of the Independent Democratic Union party and author of the project, told Anadolu Agency.

Gahona said that Chile cannot stop a war, but as a country it can give clear signals that what is happening in the occupied Palestinian territories are crimes against humanity.

In addition, the bill highlights that HRW recommended a review of cooperation agreements and all other forms of trade. That is why they consider it a show of support to present the bill that also includes criminal sanctions for the importer who violates the established prohibition.