VARIETY OF IMPORTS INTO GAZA INCREASED

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 002687

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/IPA AND SEMEP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2019
TAGS: ECON KWBG IS
SUBJECT: VARIETY OF IMPORTS INTO GAZA INCREASED

Classified By: EconCouns David R. Burnett for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) The Office of the Quartet Representative's (OQR's)
Private Sector Development Specialist reported December 8
that the variety of goods entering Gaza has increased
significantly during the last two months, though the overall
quantity has remained steady, at about 100-130 double
truckloads per day. In October 2009, approximately 35 types
of items were allowed into Gaza. By early December, that
number had increased to about 54 types of products and is
expected to increase further, up to perhaps 93 item types,
according to the PA commercial crossings committee in Gaza.
Items currently allowed to pass include 36 food items, six
types of personal care products, two types of animal feed,
and ten other types of items (e.g., medicines, fertilizers,
nylon covers for greenhouses).


2. (C) COMMENT: While this increase in variety of products
allowed through the official crossings is certainly good
news, EMBASSY has received no assurance from the GOI that
this change is permanent. For example, approximately 7000
live cattle and specialty foods, such as dates, sesame and
zatar, were imported through Kerem Shalom for the Eid al-Adha
festival, a customary gesture during a holiday season. We
have also received hints that the recent expansion in the
range of goods permitted into Gaza may be a carrot in the
Shalit negotiations, though none of our GOI crossings
contacts are authorized to discuss the negotiation details.


3. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED: Despite the recent expansion, the
USG will need to keep up pressure on the GOI. So long as the
Israelis do not have a 'positive list' of acceptable items
for export to Gaza, the current "largesse" could be easily
scaled back and only the most basic humanitarian goods
permitted across, particularly if the Shalit negotiations are
inconclusive. That said, as long as there are no problems
and this relative leniency is not advertised so as to arouse
adverse public pressure, an expanded variety of products may
continue to enter Gaza.
CUNNINGHAM