Brussels, 14/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 13 July, the European Union expressed concern about the possible effect that Israeli legislation, adopted on Monday, would have on freedom of expression. The legislation bans calls to boycott products from the Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories. “The EU recognises Israel's sovereignty in the legislative process. Furthermore, the EU does not advocate boycotts”, a spokesperson for foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, Maja Kocijancic, says in a press release. “However”, she adds, in the name of the fundamental values of freedom of expression and speech that the EU cherishes and shares with Israel, the EU is “concerned about the effect that this legislation may have on the freedom of Israeli citizens and organisations to express non-violent political opinions”. It is now banned in Israel to call for a boycott of the settlements after an unprecedented law was adopted on Monday evening at the initiative of the far right and the settlement lobby. (L.C./transl.jl)