JERUSALEM (JTA) — The European Union approved guidelines under which its member states would label products from West Bank settlements.

The European Commissioner in Brussels on Wednesday morning reportedly adopted the   “notice on indication of origin of goods from the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967,” according to reports. The guidelines are not officially adopted until they appear in the E.U. legal gazette, the Official Journal, later Wednesday or on Thursday.

A senior European diplomat told JTA on Tuesday that the guidelines carry explanations on E.U. requirements for labels on products marketed from Israel to the European Union that are produced or packaged in disputed areas under Israel’s control: the West Bank, eastern Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. He said the guidelines will neither impact trade with Israel nor incur sanctions on non-complying EU states.

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The E.U. instructions for the labels will require the labels to say “Made in the West Bank – Israeli settlement,” or “Made in the Golan – Israeli settlement,” according to reports.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry reportedly has summoned E.U. Ambassador to Israel Lars Faaborg-Anderson over the adoption of the guidelines. He reportedly will visit the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday evening.

The Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Wednesday condemning the decision.

“We regret that the E.U. has chosen, for political reasons, to take such an exceptional and discriminatory step, inspired by the boycott movement, particularly at this time, when Israel is confronting a wave of terrorism targeting any and all of its citizens,” the statement said.

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“It is puzzling and even irritating that the E.U. chooses to apply a double standard concerning Israel, while ignoring that there are over 200 other territorial disputes worldwide, including those occurring within the E.U. or on its doorstep. The claim that this is a technical matter is cynical and baseless,” it continued.

The ministry said the adoption of guidelines could negatively affect attempts to restart peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

“It is bound to reinforce the P.A.’s refusal to conduct direct negotiations with Israel, negotiations that the E.U. claims to support. Product labeling will strengthen the radical elements advocating a boycott against Israel and denying Israel’s right to exist, contradicting positions that the E.U. publicly opposes. This recent step raises questions regarding the role that the E.U. aspires to play. It may also have implications for Israel-E.U. relations,” the statement said.

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