Israel okays renewal of flower, strawberry exports from Gaza
Palestinian farmers, Israeli exporters appeal blockade instituted after Gaza declared 'hostile territory'.
By Amiram Cohen Tags: EU GazaThe government has decided to permit the renewal of flower and strawberry exports from the Gaza Strip to Europe from agricultural export terminals inside Israel.
Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, both of Labor, approved the move after Palestinian farmers and Israeli exporters appealed to the High Court of Justice against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Simchon and Barak.
The exports came to a halt after the security cabinet declared the Gaza Strip a 'hostile entity' in response to ongoing militant Qassam fire on the western Negev.
Simchon is to send the details of the decision to Palestinian Authority Agriculture Minister Mahmoud Habash.
The export of flowers and strawberries from the Gaza Strip to the European Union is carried out with the cooperation of Israeli exporters and European buyers, and amounts to roughly NIS 100 million each year. Of that sum, NIS 45 million comes from the sale of carnations.
The Gaza greenhouses that grow carnations were set up with the aid of the European Union and the Dutch government, which recently demanded Israel immediately reverse its blockade of the exports.
Since Hamas took control of Gaza in June, Israel has blocked almost all exports from the area, severely hurting the Gazan economy. All exports from Gaza must travel through Israel.
Gaza's 40,000 farmers have repeatedly pushed for the renewal of exports. Simchon's announcement that the Palestinians will be able to export all of their flower and strawberry crops will be worth at least $14 million to farmers, the Palestinian Chamber of Commerce said.
On Tuesday, farmers fed flowers to their cattle rather than let them go to waste.
Israel will in the near future ease trade with Gaza further, Simchon said.
The international aid group Oxfam warned Wednesday of an increasing risk to public health in Gaza due to a reduction in fuel supplies. About 225,000 people in Gaza do not receive adequate amounts of drinking water because water pumps are not operating at full capacity, Oxfam said in a release.
Abbas has asked Israel to ease its restrictions on impoverished Gaza. Abbas still claims to rule Gaza, though he has little influence there.
The matter of calves raised in Israel for Gazan Palestinians has still not been solved. Since agricultural trade between Israel and Gaza stopped, Israeli veal farmers have been losing roughly NIS 2 million per month, as they continue to hold 2,000 calves intended to be sold for slaughter in Gaza.
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A Palestinian farmer feeds carnations to sheep at his farm in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. (AP) |
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You need the money more than Israel needs your weeds--That is why you came begging to be allowed to ship them--
I have told you before, no address in the header, I will not wsste my time--I will not bother to notify you again--
Had it ever occurred to you that Israel probably makes a handsome profit on every Gazan item it transships?
Apparently, You can't deprive yourselves of beautiful Gaza flowers
I would recomend that Gaza export one Kassam to your home--Hopefully it would encourage you to remove yourself and set off on the Human Shield mission you have been so cowardly in evading-- A promise made should be kept--
The Palestinian can really thank G-d when you finally get off your backside and gather the courage to fulfill your promise to become a "Human Shield"--Until then, you are just a mindless, hateful windbag--
The enemy wants something, then give something. Stop terror missile attacks on Israel, free Shalit.
Thank God the Dutch and European governments spoke up and said enough of this BS. How sinful Israel has become refusing to allow Gazans to export the fruit and flowers. I suggest if Israel doesn't let Gazans resume full export of their products the EU and Dutch should consider not accepting Israel's items for export too. There ought to be consequences for Israel too. It's shameful to let fruit rot and wilt. Dutch
Thank God the Dutch and European governments spoke up and said enough of this BS. How sinful Israel has become refusing to allow Gazans to export the fruit and flowers. I suggest if Israel doesn't let Gazans resume full export of their products the EU and Dutch should consider not accepting Israel's items for export too. There ought to be consequences for Israel too. It's shameful to let fruit rot and wilt. Dutch
All other exports from Gaza must be terminated--It's all or nothing--
"Palestinian farmers and Israeli exporters appealed to the High Court of Justice against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Simchon and Barak." Next, Ahmadinejad will appeal to the US Supreme Court against the New York City mayor for not letting him visit Ground Zero. "All exports from Gaza must travel through Israel." Why? Says who? Egypt is not good enough? You don't trade with (or support trade of) an enemy you are at war with, even if it causes you financial harm. Why is it so hard for Israel to understand?
Since now on, I will find out where the strawberry plants and the carnations come from before buying it. I do not want to do business with terrorists. I will pass it on to all my relatives and friends.
say "why don't they take care of themselves!" well they are trying you fools...or those greenhouses were functioning fine and prospering under Jewish control...well yeah, they had access to global markets via Israel...are you guys really that blinded by your anti-semitic hatred towards the Palestinians? Get a grip! LET MY PEOPLE GO!!! This phrase sounds so apropos in this case; next year in Jerusalem!
Does he has so much money and doesn't care about the flowers.