Israel OKs tomato exports from Gaza but refuses to allow sales in Israel and West Bank

Israel allowed export of three truckloads of tomatoes from Gaza to Saudi Arabia on Monday but banned the trucks from unloading in Israel and the West Bank, where their natural markets are. Despite the fact that on their way to Saudi Arabia, the trucks will pass through Israel and the West Bank, Israel continues to ban sale of goods from Gaza in these areas as part of its "Separation Policy".

The policy has kept export from Gaza at minimal levels – one truckload per day on average last year – because of high shipping costs and low demand abroad. In the months prior to the June 2007 ban on selling goods to Israel and the West Bank, Gaza residents exported 90 truckloads per day on average.

The tomatoes belong to Abed Al Rauf Abu Safar, a resident of Gaza who owns the Abu Safar Company for export of fruits and vegetables. Before 2007, Abu Safar sold hundreds of truckloads of vegetables each year, mostly to Israel and the West Bank. Because of the high costs of shipping to Saudi Arabia and long delays at the Kerem Shalom Crossing, Abu Safar says it is likely he will lose money on the venture, his first attempt since the 2007 ban. more

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