Proposals put forward by British labour unions to implement a targeted boycott of Israeli exports to the UK in response to the conflict in Gaza earlier this year have come in for stern criticism.

Union federation the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has been seeking to put pressure onthe country’s politicians to call for end to the occupation of Palestinian territories byboycotting products from what one member group, the Fire Brigades Union, referred to as “illegal Israeli settlements”.

Although apotential boycott of all Israeli goods has thus far been avoided, despite callsfrom by the FBU to reject all of the country’sexports, union leaders have backed a motion to turn their backs on Israeli goods, especially agriculturalproducts produced in the settlements.

Speaking to The Guardian, a spokesperson for the Israeli embassy criticised the move, branding it 'reckless': 'Any boycott will inflict harm and hardship on workers throughoutIsrael, both Jew and Arab alike. Boycotts would not promote progress orunderstanding, but would be a slap in the face to all those whosincerely campaign for peace.'

Israeli exporter Agrexco's response to the boycott plans echoed that of the embassy, with the company's Oded Yacovson noting that any such move would harm everyone concerned.

'Agrexco is a non-political organisation,' he told Fruitnet.com. 'A boycott would not be good for anyone in the business.'

Commenting on the situation, the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it favoured a voluntary system of transparent labelling as opposed to a boycott.

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