PA removes Israeli calf ban, Israel removes Palestinian agriculture ban

The ban on importing calves from Israel was taken in September by PA Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh as part of his plan to achieve “gradual economic disengagement” from the Jewish state.

FEBRUARY 20, 2020 19:33

Cow illustrative (photo credit: KIM HANSEN/WIKIPEDIA) — Cow illustrative

(photo credit: KIM HANSEN/WIKIPEDIA)

Defense Minister Naftali Bennett and the Coordinator of Government Affairs in the Territories notified the Palestinian Authority of the resumption of agricultural imports from the West Bank to Israel after the PA ban on calf imports from Israel was removed on Thursday.

COGAT head Maj.-Gen. Kamil Abu Rokon and the head of Civil Administration, Brig.-Gen. Ghassan Alian, spoke with the PA, along with Agriculture Minister Tzachi Hanegbi, and reached an agreement that the PA would remove the ban on calf imports from Israeli livestock breeders and Israel would remove the agricultural trade limitations implemented by Bennett in response.

The PA confirmed it has reached “understandings through international mediation” with Israel to end the “trade war” between the two sides.

PA Agriculture Minister Riad al-Atari said under the terms of the understandings, the Palestinians would be permitted to freely import calves from abroad. The understandings require the Palestinians to establish infrastructure for the quarantine of the calves, provided that the first batch of cattle is imported within 40 days, he said.

“According to the understandings, Israel will back away from all measures it took three weeks ago, namely to prevent agriculture products from entering the Israeli and international markets,” Atari said. He assured Palestinians that meat prices will decrease soon as a result of the understandings.

PA Economy Minister Khaled Al-Osaily also confirmed the Palestinians have reached an agreement with Israel ending the “trade war.” The agreement allows Palestinians to import calves directly from various countries without restrictions, while importing from Israel would be made possible according to necessity, he said.

“That means that we were able to break the Israeli monopoly in this sector,” Osaily said, adding that the PA government was working to achieve its vision of a gradual economic disengagement from the Israeli economy. The understandings will go into effect on Sunday, he said.

Earlier this month, Bennett ordered a stop to agricultural imports from Palestinian territories following the boycott of Israeli calves by the PA, which severely affected livestock farmers. Agricultural exports originating from the West Bank were also not permitted through the Allenby crossing, which connects Jordan to Palestinian territory.

The ban on importing calves from Israel was made in September by PA Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh as part of his plan to achieve “gradual economic disengagement” from the Jewish state.

The move angered both Israeli and Palestinian farmers, who complained that they were suffering major financial losses as a result of the decision.

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In October, the PA denied reports that it had reversed the ban.