Palestinian diplomats could address the United Nations concerning a boycott of Israeli settlements if peace talks fail, a Palestinian diplomat said Monday.

Speaking to Ma’an on the condition of anonymity, the diplomat said that officials could address the boycott of “everything related to Israeli settlements.”

Practical steps taken by the European Union and financial institutions have laid the groundwork for the Palestinian leadership “to give us the green light so we can take practical moves and openly ask the UN General Assembly to announce that it is forbidden for states and international companies and agencies to deal with settlements.”

“One may say that such a decision by the General Assembly wouldn’t be binding, but if 50 countries show readiness to this boycott, that will be a triumph,” added the diplomat.

The PA could also apply to join the International Criminal Court and complain about “war crimes” such as illegal settlements.

In December, Dutch firm Vitens said it had come to the conclusion that it was “extremely hard” to work with the Israeli water company Mekorot on future projects “because they cannot be taken out of the political context.”

Since Jan. 1, the European Union has blocked all grants and funding to Israeli entities operating beyond the pre-1967 war lines, sparking growing alarm in Israel.

Later in January, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund blacklisted two Israeli companies involved in construction in annexed East Jerusalem.

(Ma’an – www.maannews.net)