Gaza allowed to export religious items to Israel

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It looks like the Israeli blockade of Gaza can be relieved if enough rabbis complain. But, this time, not for human rights reasons.

The Jewish holiday of Succot will be celebrated in the coming days. Palm fronds (lulavim) are traditionally used in the rituals surrounding the holiday. Israel, which does not farm enough palm fronds for domestic demand, usually imports them from Egypt. But this year, Egyptian suppliers tripled their prices. In response, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Religious Services Minister Yaacov Margi decided to allow imports of palm fronds from Gaza:

Margi was approached by importers of lulavim to intervene after suppliers in Egypt, Israel’s main source, tripled their prices. Israeli importers told The Jerusalem Post that Egyptian suppliers in El-Arish and other locations who provide the bulk of lulavim formed a price cartel this year and demanded $1.50 per lulav, about three times the price demanded in previous years.

It is unknown how a process of compensation of Gaza residents for the import of fronds into Israel will take place.

In New York, palm fronds are sold to religious Jews for approximately $100 each.