Tnuva, Strauss, Tara, Soglowek and Tapuzina products will not be allowed into West Bank
Imports from five top Israeli food companies into West Bank areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority were banned by the Palestinian governing body Tuesday.
The PA said the decision on the ban came in response to an Israeli halt on imports of products from five Palestinian companies earlier this month, according to the Palestinian Ma’an News Agency.
Products from the Tnuva, Strauss, Tara, Soglowek and Tapuzina will not be allowed to enter Palestinian-controlled territory, according to the statement.
In early March, Israeli authorities told several Palestinian firms that their products would not be allowed to pass through the commercial Beitunia Crossing, the Palestinian Ma’an News Agency reported. The five companies are Hamoda, al-Juneidi Dairy and Food Products, al-Rayyan Dairies, Salwa Foods, and Siniora Food Industries.
At the time, Israeli authorities did not respond to a Times of Israel request to comment on the decision.
The move appeared to be the first time since 2010 that Israel has prohibited West Bank goods from entering East Jerusalem, which it considers sovereign Israeli territory. In that year, Israeli authorities attempted a similar prohibition of West Bank food products, saying they did not meet Israeli standards. The ban was rescinded shortly afterwards, following international pressure, including from the Mideast Quartet and the US administration.