The Palestinian Authority is considering filing a lawsuit against American e-commerce giant Amazon for conducting business in Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria.
According to Turkish news agency Anadolu, Ramallah's Economy Ministry said it will send a letter to Amazon demanding it immediately halt of its commercial activities beyond the Green Line.
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Amazon was not included in a recent blacklist issued by the United Nations Human Rights Council, naming 112 companies that conduct business in Judea and Samaria.
The move was apparently prompted by a report in the Financial Times, which revealed last week that Amazon delivers to Israeli settlements free for purchases over $49 while imposing a fee for deliveries to Palestinian cities.
The report said that Palestinians who select their address as being in Israel get free shipping, while those who list their address as being in the "Palestinian Territories" are charge $24 or more for delivery.
The Financial Times later quoted an Amazon official as saying that the discrepancy stemmed from "logistical issues."
Ibrahim al-Qadi, head of the Consumer Protection Department at the PA Economy Ministry, was not convinced.
"The settlements are illegal in accordance with international law. Our letter will state clearly that Amazon should not be doing business with them," he asserted, adding the PA will further demand that Amazon provide free shipping to Palestinians.
"Palestinians deserve the ability to receive the same services as Israelis," he said. "The current policy is discriminatory."
While the PA is not a member of the World Trade Organization, Qadi said the PA could turn to the WTO on the matter as well.
