GAZA CITY // Israeli authorities allowed the import of Gaza produce on Thursday for the first time since Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007, a move that will aid the Palestinian territory’s battered economy and help pious Jews observe a biblical farming sabbatical.
Some 27 tonnes of tomatoes and five tonnes of eggplants were cleared to leave Gaza for Israel.
“Exporting to Israel is better, but insufficient,” said Gaza merchant Hosni Shehada, who oversaw the preparation of half-ripe tomatoes and large eggplants for export at his warehouse.
Before Hamas took over the territory nearly eight years ago, Gaza merchants used to export hundreds of tonnes of vegetables to Israel on a daily basis.
Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade after Hamas ousted forces loyal to the Western-backed Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in bloody street battles.
Critics say the blockade amounts to collective punishment.
Since Israel launched a 50-day war on Gaza last summer, the Jewish state has increased the amount of entry permits for the territory’s merchants to travel to the West Bank and Israel for business, and allowed more textile and furniture exports.
COGAT, the military agency that handles Gaza civilian affairs, said other vegetables will later be marketed along with the tomatoes and eggplants. It said about 1,500 tons of Gaza produce are expected monthly, with each tonne valued at about US$770 (Dh2,828).
Seventeen farmers sent produce samples to Israel for tests and only nine of them met Israeli standards, the Gaza Agriculture Ministry said. The produce will be exported with the name of the farmer stamped in Arabic and English on the boxes under a “Product of Gaza” line.
The easing of restrictions coincides with the seventh-year sabbatical, called “shmita” in Hebrew, which began last autumn. During that time, according to the Bible, Israeli farmers must give their lands a rest.
Loopholes enable Israelis to eat local produce, but are rejected by a minority of the very devout, who could find an alternative with the Gaza exports.
* Associated Press
