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Last update - 18:33 03/02/2008
Gov't considers ban on exporting Gaza farm produce via Israel
By Amiram Cohen, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Egypt, export, agriculture 

Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon said on Sunday that Israel considers imposing a complete ban on exporting Gaza agricultural produce via Israel.

Israel suspects large quantities of agricultural produce have been smuggled into Gaza from Egypt, after Hamas tore down the Gaza-Egypt border wall, sending hundreds of thousands of Palestinians into Egypt, effectively ending the Israeli blockade of the Strip.

According to information provided by the Palestinian veterinary service, Israel believes 10,000 sheep, 300 cows and thousands of poultry have been transported into Gaza without veterinary inspection, as well as thousands of tons of various vegetables, fruit, plants and seeds without proper inspection.
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Dr. Moshe Haimovich, the director of the Agriculture Ministry's Veterinary Service, has warned that Egypt is swarming with veterinary diseases, including bird flu, foot and mouth and others, which could pose a serious danger to humans.

Dr. Eldad Landes, the director of the ministry's Plant Protection and Inspection Services, said that there is a substantial risk of acute botanical diseases coming into Israel from Gaza.

He said fruit and vegetables should not be allowed into Israel, even for the purpose of export through Ben-Gurion International Airport.

Following Simhon's request, 100,000 veterinary vaccinations will be transported to the Gaza Strip on Monday.

Meanwhile, The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), which comprises 57 Muslim countries, said on Sunday it would step up action at the United Nations to stop Israel's blockade of Palestinians in Gaza.

Last month the UN Human Rights Council criticised "grave violations" by Israel in Gaza, which it has blockaded for several weeks in what it says is a response to rocket attacks by Gaza-based Palestinian militants.

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      1.   Choke them off in Gaza 13:39  |  Salvador 03/02/08
      2.   Zionists!!???!!??? 13:51  |  Jimmy Jones 03/02/08
      3.   What a poor cover-up for the real goal Israel has 15:15  |  Mark B. 03/02/08
      4.   If it`s peaceful, then go ahead 15:23  |  Esther 03/02/08
      5.   Shipping 15:50  |  Max 03/02/08
      6.   Time to cut the umblical cord. 15:56  |  Stephen. 03/02/08
      7.   Diseases in Gaza should remain in Gaza 15:56  |  Petra 03/02/08
      8.   let em in, too late to stop now 16:19  |  lisa 03/02/08
      9.   rofl 16:22  |  Sarah 03/02/08
      10.   close the border tight. keep out all gaza product. 16:23  |  ralph 03/02/08
      11.   Why don`t they eat the flowers instead of exporting them 17:00  |  David 03/02/08
      12.   a wall 17:25  |  Space 03/02/08
      13.   banning Israeli goods 18:32  |  whoopsie 03/02/08
      14.   Formalizing Current Practice???? 18:37  |  Mark of Lewiston 03/02/08
      15.   Amiram Cohen and "Haaretz" believe Qassams are a fairy tale 19:28  |  Absolute Sweden 03/02/08
      16.   Exports from Gaza 20:11  |  Yossi 03/02/08
      17.   Petra 20:21  |  Hal 03/02/08
      18.   Yossi 20:32  |  Jon 03/02/08
      19.   Trade with Egypt and Jordan only 22:15  |  Palestinian Brit 03/02/08
      20.   i wonder how long it`ll be... 01:24  |  eric 04/02/08
      21.   As long as you don`t expect Israel to take them... 03:42  |  MaryRose 04/02/08
      22.   about time must close it permanently. egypt now open for biz. 05:00  |  ralph 04/02/08
      23.   nature/reality/god/gods are dual in its 18:24  |  bozhidar bob balkas 04/02/08
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