Israeli minister of agriculture Shalom Simhon met with his Palestinian equivalent Mahmoud Habash this week, to discuss the possibility of re-allowing fresh produce exports from the Gaza region.

Last week, Israel turned down a request by the Dutch government to enable the export of flowers from Gaza to Europe. The Netherlands has invested €20 million (£14m) in flower production in Gaza, with the aim of sending product to the Dutch auction in Aalsmeer.

But, based on the Israeli cabinet’s decision that the Gaza region is a "hostile entity”, Israel has barred the export of flowers and other fresh produce items from Gaza to Europe, as these are traditionally transported through Israel.

As a result, some 800,000 flowers were destroyed last week in Gaza. The Israeli foreign ministry responded to the Dutch government, saying that as long as Israel is attacked daily by Kassam bombs, "we cannot continue behaving as if business is as usual”.

Minister Simhon intends to clarify the issue of exports from Gaza at the forthcoming cabinet meeting, as well as requesting permission from the ministry of defence to transfer 25,000 tonnes of potatoes, specifically for those who observe the Shmita regulation.

Israel has also implemented its own embargo on export of domestic fresh produce to Gaza, and the ministry of agriculture estimated that this causes Israeli growers financial losses of $160 million (£78m). Joseph Bleier, secretary general of the Israel Federation of Farmers, estimated that the losses to fruit growers alone will amount to $50 million.

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