Palestinian Authority Bans Imports from Major Israeli Companies

JERUSALEM – The Palestinian Authority on Tuesday banned imports into the West Bank from all of Israel’s major food companies, the Times of Israel reported.

Products from the Tnuva, Strauss, Tara, Soglowek, and Tapuzina will not be allowed to enter Palestinian-controlled territory.

The PA said the decision was in response to Israel’s halt on imports of products from five Palestinian companies earlier this month.

According to the Palestinian Ma’an news agency, Israeli authorities told several Palestinian companies that their products would not be allowed to pass through the commercial Beitunia Crossing. The five companies are Hamoda, al-Juneidi Dairy and Food Products, al-Rayyan Dairies, Salwa Foods, and Siniora Food Industries.

This marks the first time in six years that Israel has banned West Bank goods. In 2010, authorities claimed that the goods did not meet Israeli standards. Following pressure from the U.S. and the Mideast Quartet, the measure was quickly dropped.