A growing number of Israeli companies operating in the West Bank are moving their facilities to locations within the country’s internationally recognised borders in an apparent response to boycott pressure and other constraints, Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reported on Monday.
The newspaper quoted a report by Israeli anti-occupation group Gush Shalom that stated that 20 to 30 per cent of companies that were operating in West Bank settlements 20 years ago are no longer there.
Adam Keller, the organisation’s spokesman, said: “This is a very rough estimate and clearly there are other businesses that have sprouted up in their place.”
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He added: “But when it comes to big companies that export their goods and are interested in building international connections, the trend is very clear. There has been a sharp decline in their number.”
According to the report, many companies operating in the settlements decided to relocate following the outbreak of the second intifada in 2000. In more recent cases, relocation activities appear to be connected to growing international calls to boycott Israeli products made in the settlements.
Companies that have moved their businesses inside the Green Line includes Dead Sea cosmetic company Ahava, Sodastream, Delta Galil Industries and world leading generic drug producer Teva Pharmaceuticals.