An Israeli decision to ban the entry of Palestinian products into Jerusalem… and the Federation of Industries responds
The Israeli occupation authorities have imposed a ban on Palestinian food products, particularly dairy and processed meats, from entering East Jerusalem.
The Palestinian Food and Agricultural Industries Union criticized the decision, viewing it as another step up in the economic pressure on Palestinians.
In a statement issued today, the Union said that this decision comes despite these products being marketed in Jerusalem for decades and constitutes "a blatant violation of Palestinian economic and national rights, and a breach of the free flow of goods regulated by the Paris Economic Protocol."
The Union affirmed that East Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Palestine and an integral part of the Palestinian market, emphasizing the right of Palestinian products to freely access its markets, just like those in other Palestinian cities, without restrictions or obstacles.
It pointed out that Palestinian food products are manufactured according to the latest international technologies and are subject to strict health controls. Their quality has been proven both locally and internationally, through exports to several countries without any reported health violations.
In contrast, the union noted that Israeli food products enter the markets of the West Bank and Gaza Strip without adequate oversight and often fail to meet Palestinian technical specifications, misleading consumers and violating applicable laws.
The union called on the Palestinian government to take a series of measures, most notably implementing the principle of reciprocity and preventing the entry of Israeli food products into the Palestinian market, in addition to diplomatic action to pressure the occupation to reverse its decision.
It also called for stricter monitoring of Israeli products and strengthening the role of relevant authorities to prevent the entry of any products that do not comply with Palestinian standards.
The union affirmed that it will take escalating steps, including resorting to the courts, holding peaceful protests, and engaging with the international community to expose these practices.
In conclusion, it stressed the urgent need to adopt national policies to support Palestinian products and bolster their resilience, thereby contributing to protecting the national economy and achieving self-sufficiency.
