South Africa approves 'Made in Occupied Palestinian Territories' labels

CAPE TOWN // South Africa's cabinet yesterday said it had approved the placing of Occupied Palestinian Territory labels on imported goods from Jewish settlements.

The trade minister was given the nod to issue a notice requiring that products are marked so that buyers knew their origin was not Israel, spokesman Jimmy Manyi told a press briefing.

"This is in line with South Africa's stance that recognises the 1948 borders delineated by the United Nations and does not recognise occupied territories beyond these borders as being part of the state of Israel," he said.

The plan has set off protests in South Africa and drawn criticism from Israel's foreign ministry.

South Africa says its backing of Palestine stems from its own history of apartheid, oppression and rights abuses.