By Ari Goren
Agro-cooperation between Palestinians and Israelis
European importers welcome cooperation and were happy to make the first agricultural orders.
Despite the political breakdown between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the farmers of both sides managed to develop a common export channel, which is expected to create revenue of 4 million Euros this year. A delegation of Israeli Flower Growers led by Secretary of Israeli Flower Growers Association, Haim Hadad and main agricultural societies in the Gaza Strip met lately in Amsterdam and agreed on a common export channel of flowers, strawberry and herbs from the Gaza Strip to Europe.
The Palestinian products will be harvested every morning in the Gaza strip, packed in an Israeli packing house and exported daily to Europe by the cargo airline, CAL.
The Growers Association secretary emphasized that Israeli farmers have in the past had a very positive cooperative experience working with Palestinians through Agrexco. The desire of both parties to make a "livelihood" is great and will overcome the difficulties of the political and security situation.
The exports are conducted through a common computer system, so that a real time shipment can be followed as can pricing policy and expected revenue. Israeli and Palestinian farmers agreed to hold regular meetings in Europe to strengthen cooperation and open new marketing channels. According to Mr. Haddad, the board could easily absorb much bigger quantities of herbs, strawberries and other agricultural produce and strengthen the mutual economic base of both sides.