(JTA) – Germany and Hungary spoke out last week against regulations adopted on Nov. 11 by the European Union that require separate labeling for Israeli products sold in the European Union when they are either packaged or produced in the West Bank, eastern Jerusalem or the Golan Heights. The regulations also require that labels on such products specify whether they were produced by Israelis or Palestinians. But the Obama administration voiced support for the regulations.

“This decision might not bring advantages in consumer protection,” Jurgen Hardt, foreign policy spokesman of the parliamentary group in the Bundestag of the party of German Chancellor Angela Merkel told JTA on Nov. 12. “In this case, there foremost is a danger of a stigma. An anti-Israeli movement might exploit the decision and put it to use on anti-Israeli campaigns,” adding, “As a signal to our friends in Israel, I would have appreciated, if the European Commission in this case would have abstained from the implementation of the European regulation.” He also said that since “Germany is a friend of Israel,” labeling will have little impact on trade.

Hungary will not label separately products made in the West Bank of the Golan Heights, Hungary’s foreign minister. Péter Szijjártó, who also serves as trade minister, said on an overnight visit to Israel that the EU guidelines are “irrational” and do not contribute to solving the Israel-Palestinian conflict. He also called the attacks in Paris “a strong wake-up call for European politicians.” He called on the EU to strengthen its cooperation with Israel in fighting terrorism, citing Israel’s experience, knowledge and technology in fighting terrorism.

However, the Obama administration expressed support for the guidelines. “We do not consider settlements to be part of Israel. We do not view labeling the origin of products as being from the settlements as a boycott of Israel,” State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Foreign Ministry suspended dialogue with the European Union on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The move is “hypocritical and applies double standards, targeting Israel when there are over 200 other conflicts around the world,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. “The Israeli economy is strong and will withstand this; those who will be hurt will be those Palestinians who work in Israeli factories. The EU should be ashamed.” Some leftist politicians in Israel, notably opposition leader Isaac Herzog, joined right-wingers in denouncing the plan.