Abstract:
This thesis focuses on the role of the European Court of justice (ECJ) in the Palestinian-Israeli
conflict. It thoroughly examines the ECJ’s ruling on the legality, or lack thereof, of extending
duty-free entry to the European Union to Israeli products that are manufactured in settlements
in the occupied West Bank. The thesis studies the political and legal background to the ECJ
ruling. It further argues that the ECJ verdict that these products are not covered by the free
trade agreement between the EU and Israel will have significant legal, political and economic
ramifications for Israel and for the Palestinians. Equally important, it will help define the
applicability of international law to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, especially as far as
delineating the borders of a future Palestinian state.
