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News
Anti Israeli-settlement NGO given gift of Israeli wine
Members of an NGO opposed to Israel’s settlements in the West Bank have been offered a gift basket by the US embassy containing wine made in a West Bank settlement.
A bottle of kosher Cabernet from Zion Winery was offered as a gift to an NGO opposed to Israeli settlements in the West Bank
The US embassy in Tel Aviv presented the gift basket to a selection of Israeli organisations, including left-wing protest group Peace Now, ahead of the Jewish New Year. In it was a kosher Cabernet Sauvignon from the Zion Winery, in the West Bank industrial area of Mishor Adumim, east of Jerusalem.
The baskets, which were pre-packed by a third-party seller, were sent to several Israeli organisations ahead of the Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year, on October 2, but were not checked before distribution.
“We would not have included the wine had we known that it was from the settlements,” a US embassy spokeswoman told the Jerusalem Post.
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“We strongly oppose boycotts targeting the State of Israel, but maintain our long-standing policy that settlements are illegitimate and harmful to the prospects for peace and to Israel’s long-term security,” she added.
The mayor of nearby settlement Ma’aleh Adumim, Benny Kashriel, was quick to seize upon the opportunity to talk up Israeli wine.
“Our wine is better and sweeter than what is produced in the Napa Valley,” he said.
“Those who receive the gift basket will be very happy with the wine.”
“I’m sure it was an honest mistake,” a member of Peace Now told Reuters.