Israeli occupation authorities have barred Palestinian food companies in the West Bank from delivering their products to the occupied city of Jerusalem, a move seen by experts as an intensification of the city's isolation from its Palestinian environment. This decision, which has been in effect for the past 12 days, has sparked widespread discontent among Palestinian companies that rely on the Jerusalem market.
Vehicles crossing the Beitunia checkpoint near Ramallah, designated for goods passage since 2002, were surprised to be turned back loaded with Palestinian products. Drivers were instructed to head to other checkpoints, but faced the same fate, being told that the entry of dairy products into Jerusalem markets was prohibited by a decision from the Israeli Ministries of Health and Agriculture.
Details of the Incident
The General Manager of Al-Juneidi Dairy and Food Industries, Mashhour Abu Khalaf, confirmed that companies have reached out to the relevant Palestinian authorities, which in turn contacted the Israeli side, but the latter did not provide clear reasons for the ban. Al-Juneidi, established in 1984, had been accustomed to distributing its products in East Jerusalem, where its trucks would enter the city to deliver goods until the outbreak of the Second Intifada in 2000.
Despite the company's compliance with Israeli conditions, restrictions have recurred every few years. Abu Khalaf pointed out that the halt of their products entering the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, and now the ban on entering Jerusalem, has led to a significant accumulation of milk, a sensitive product that farmers cannot cease milking their cows for.
Background & Context
Historically, Palestinian products were marketed in Jerusalem before the signing of the Paris Economic Protocol in 1994, which allowed for the free flow of goods between the Palestinian and Israeli sides. However, Palestinian companies have been barred from accessing Jerusalem, while thousands of Israeli factories continue to import their products into the West Bank.
The General Manager of the Palestinian Food and Agricultural Industries Union, Bassam Abu Ghalion, confirmed that 20% of the daily production from six Palestinian factories is directed to Jerusalem, making this market very important for Palestinian factories. Nevertheless, these factories are the only ones allowed to market their products in the holy capital.
Impact & Consequences
The current ban has led to a significant decline in sales in the West Bank governorates, with Palestinian companies losing many of their customers. Abu Khalaf noted that 250,000 workers in Israel used to buy their products on their way to work, and with these workers now out of the market, sales have dropped noticeably.
The cessation of product entry into Jerusalem has significantly affected farmers, who produce 400 tons of milk daily, with more than 200 tons of this going to Gaza and Jerusalem markets. This situation threatens Palestinian food security, as the spoilage of milk could lead to substantial losses for farmers.
Regional Significance
The recent Israeli measures reflect a systematic policy aimed at isolating Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings, raising widespread concern in Palestinian and Arab circles. These actions could exacerbate the existing economic and social conditions in the region, increasing the intensity of ongoing tensions.
In conclusion, the Food Industries Union calls on the Palestinian government to take similar measures to prevent the entry of Israeli products into West Bank markets as a means of pressuring the Israeli side to retract this step.