Israel to ease limits on Gazan exports

Palestinians will be permitted to export furniture in light of new Israeli policies; IDF explain process to farmers during workshop.

By YAAKOV KATZ
illustrative-ship imports exports 311aj (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
illustrative-ship imports exports 311aj
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Israel will allow Palestinians to begin exporting furniture from the Gaza Strip next month, as part of new Israeli policies to allow goods out of Gaza.
On Wednesday, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) held a workshop for Palestinian farmers who will begin exporting their goods from the Gaza Strip next week.
During the workshop, IDF officers explained the export process to the farmers that begins from when the produce is harvested and until it is transferred into Israel via the Kerem Shalom crossing. It is then loaded and sent to Europe.
Israel traditionally allows the export of strawberries and flowers to Europe in conjunction with the Dutch government.
Israel has facilitated the transfer of 399 tons of strawberries, 10 million carnations, 6.5 tons of cherry tomatoes, and 6 tons of yellow, red and green bell peppers to European markets over the past year. COGAT said the number will grow and in 2012 it will reach 1,000 tons of strawberries, 20 million carnations and 150 tons of yellow, red and green bell peppers.