Palestinians to ban Israeli products to protest restrictions
GAZA CITY: The governor of the Gaza Strip on Monday issued a list of Israeli
products to be banned by Palestinians, in retaliation for restrictions on
travel between Gaza and Israel.
The Gaza Strip, about 65 kilometers (40 miles) long and 6 to 12 kilometers
(4 to 8 miles) wide and home to nearly 1,000,000 Palestinians, is bordered
by Israel on three sides and the Mediterranean Sea on the other. It is
separated from the West Bank by Israeli territory.
The new travel regulations mean Palestinians will be able to enter Israel
only from the Erez checkpoint at the north end of the Gaza Strip, while
trucks carrying cargo will use the Karni checkpoint in the south.
Gaza governor Mohammed Kidwa complained that the new regulations would
double the cost of transport for Gaza produce and charged that they amount
to "tightening the economic closure" on Gaza.
In response, he said, Palestinians would not allow Israeli mineral water,
chocolate, soft drinks or electric products into the Gaza Strip.
Lt. Col. Yoram Barak, spokesman for the outgoing Israeli military government
in Gaza, said the restrictions on travel would be implemented gradually.
"Israel definitely wants to separate between goods and people," said Barak,
claiming that the new arrangements would "benefit both sides."
He noted that a new terminal was built with American assistance at the Karni
crossing point, to make the transfer of goods there more efficient. Fees at
the checkpoint would be reduced, said a government statement.
Rejecting the Israeli explanations, Kidwa charged that the new policy
"constitutes collective punishment and is illegal according to international
law."
Relations between Israel and the Palestinians are governed by a series of
interim agreements. Talks on a permanent peace treaty are stalled after a
target date for a framework agreement passed Sunday with no progress
reported. (AP)
For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service
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