Thousands of Christians visit West Bank settlements in support after European sanctions, trade bans

Thousands of Christians visited West Bank settlements during the International Christian Embassy's annual conference to protest European trade bans. A Norwegian Christian leader called the bans "antisemitism, pure and simple" and compared them to Nazi-era policies. The ICEJ accused European countries of double standards and political motives.

Thousands of Christians visited West Bank settlements during the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem's annual conference as an act of protest against recent European legislation barring trade with Israeli settlements. The visit included stops at the Psagot winery and settlements in the Binyamin and Gush Etzion regions, where participants purchased locally produced goods. Dag Juliussen, head of the ICEJ's Norwegian branch, called the European trade bans "antisemitism, pure and simple" and compared them to Nazi-era efforts to make Europe "Judenrein." The ICEJ issued a statement condemning the bans, accusing European countries of double standards for not sanctioning other disputed territories like Northern Cyprus and Western Sahara. The organization also claimed the bans had a "political motive" aimed at influencing upcoming Israeli elections, calling it an intrusive act of disrespect toward a democratic state. The article frames the Christian visit as a moral stand against perceived antisemitism, with the ICEJ's own narrative voice using emotionally charged comparisons and accusations of double standards.