PA warns it will stop Israel produce imports in retaliation

The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture warned that it would stop the import of Israel goods if the occupation approves a minister’s orders to halt the import of Palestinian fruit and vegetables, the Anadolu Agency reported.

The warning came one day after the Israeli Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel ordered Palestinian fresh produce be banned from entry in to the Israeli market.

Deputy Palestinian Agriculture Minister Abdullah Lahlouh said that his minister “had not been officially informed about [Israel] freeze of importing [Palestinian] vegetables and fruits.”

However, he said that Israel banned the entry of the Palestinians produce to its markets on Tuesday, stating: “We are following up this measure closely.”

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Later on, the Israeli minister announced an official ban on Palestinian produce. “The importation of fresh agricultural goods from the PA will not be authorised until further notice,” Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post report Ariel saying.

“I will not allow a unilateral violation of the [trade] agreements; every violation will be answered,” he added, pointing to the Palestinian halt of importing lamb from Israel.

Ariel’s decision was described by Israeli security personnel as “irresponsible step taken that harms Israel’s security.”

The decision is estimated to cause a loss of one million shekels ($0.27 million) per day for the Palestinian economy.