Palestinians announce boycott of six Israeli companies - Diplomacy and Defense
A national Palestinian committee representing all Palestinian factions announced on Monday it was recommending to ban the sale of products by six Israeli companies in the West Bank, beginning Wednesday.
The companies include Tnuva, Strauss, Osem, Elite, Prigat and Jafora.
The committee chair, PLO executive committee member Mahmoud al-Aloul, said in a press conference in Ramallah that Palestinian retailers were given two weeks to remove the companies’ products. However, committee members called on retailers to adhere to the new policy immediately.
The head of the Palestinian Customs Authority, Ibrahim al-Jazarah, said, “Palestinian customs officials will supervise the implementation of the decision in areas where the Israeli goods are delivered.”
According to Aloul, the committee that made the decision was comprised of all Palestinian organizations and factions, as well as representatives from the business and private sectors.
He said the decision was made in response to Israel’s punitive measures – including delays in the transfer of funds to the Palestinian Authority and land appropriation – which it had taken following the Palestinians’ UN bid.
“Boycotting Israeli products should be a clear and consistent strategy for the Palestinians,” Aloul said. “It’s the first among several steps … to boycott all Israeli goods that reach the Palestinian market.”
Committee member PLO official Wassel Abu Yusef said boycotting the Israeli goods is part of the Palestinian leadership’s policy of fighting the occupation formally and informally. He said Palestinian merchants should be allowed to “fill the vacuum” created by the boycott.
Source: www.haaretz.com