The governments said their objective [with the boycotts] is to protect the “two-state solution” and respond to — presumably meaning prevent — “settlement expansion.” To many Palestinians, of course, all of Israel is one big settlement to be dismantled.
As European governments increase economic pressure on Israel, Palestinians working in businesses in the settlements lose their jobs.
“Instead of building economic bridges between Israelis and Palestinians, some are choosing to tear them down. Industry creates jobs, stability and hope, while the boycott creates exactly the opposite.” — Avraham Novogrotcki, president of the Manufacturers Association of Israel, Ynet, October 18, 2026.