BETHLEHEM, June 2, 2012 – Palestine’s Christians expressed support for decisions by the governments of South Africa and Denmark, as well as from Switzerland’s largest retail chain Migros, to distinguish products made in the illegal West Bank settlements from those made in Israel, a statement by Kairos Palestine said on Friday.

South Africa, Denmark and Migros retail stores decided that products coming from the settlements should have clear labels on them stating where they have originated from to allow buyers to distinguish their origins. Israel has strongly objected to these decisions.

Describing the decisions as “historic,” Kairos Palestine, a group of Palestinian Christians who authored in 2009 the document “A Moment of Truth,” said, “We believe that this decision is a positive step into the right direction and we hope more countries and companies will follow this initiative.”

It said that “this decision is a clear statement, that the Israeli occupation and its settlements, both in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, are illegal under international law.”

“Kairos Palestine supports the global campaign for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS), because it is a just, nonviolent and peaceful tool. We believe that BDS is a way to pressure the Israeli government to respect international law, honor human rights and work towards a genuinely just peace,” said the statement.

“Kairos Palestine endorses the remarkable steps in South Africa, Denmark and Switzerland and sees it as a clarion call to action for all governments and retail chains worldwide,” it added.

“A Moment of Truth” is the Christian Palestinian’s word to the world about the occupation of Palestine, an expression “of faith, hope and love from the heart of Palestinian suffering,” and a call for solidarity in ending over six decades of oppression. The document was published in December 2009.

M.S.