Israel decided to allow the resumption of produce exports from the Gaza Strip to Europe.
Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon gave the green light Wednesday for flowers and fruit from Gaza to be sent to Europe via Israeli ports. The exports had been suspended following the Hamas takeover of the Palestinian area, which Israel designated a “hostile entity.”
Gaza’s produce exports to Europe are worth approximately $100 million annually.
Israeli representatives had been in indirect talks with Palestinian farmers in Gaza over the possibility of importing their fruit and vegetables to evade the restrictions of this “shmita” year, during which, under Jewish law, agricultural land in Israel must lay fallow.
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