PA announces boycott of Israeli food manufacturers

Fatah declares ban on Strauss, Tnuva, Osem, Prigat and Jafora products in West Bank; full boycott eventually envisaged

The PA announces a new boycott against Israeli products, including those made by Strauss (photo credit: Nati Shohat/FLASH90)
The PA announces a new boycott against Israeli products, including those made by Strauss (photo credit: Nati Shohat/FLASH90)

The Palestinian Authority on Monday announced a boycott of five major Israeli companies in retaliation for Jerusalem’s freeze of Palestinian tax funds collected on Ramallah’s behalf.

The PA ruled that it would ban the sale of products made by Israeli food manufacturers Strauss, Tnuva, Osem, Prigat and Jafora, senior Fatah official Mahmoud al-Alul said at a press conference. He said the move would take effect on Wednesday.

The initial move by Israel was a punitive measure that followed the PA’s efforts to advance lawsuits against Israeli officials on allegations of war crimes at the International Criminal Court, and its moves at the UN intended to gain support for recognition of a Palestinian state independent of a comprehensive peace deal.

Palestinian merchants storing goods produced by these companies were given two weeks to remove them from shelves. Special inspectors will conduct random checks to make sure that the boycott is being followed.

Alul said the boycott is a first step toward a complete boycott of all Israeli-made products.

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