GAZA CITY // Israeli authorities allowed the import of Gaza produce on Thursday for the first time since Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007, a move that will aid the Palestinian territory’s battered economy and help pious Jews observe a biblical farming sabbatical.
Some 27 tonnes of tomatoes and five tonnes of eggplants were cleared to leave Gaza for Israel.
“Exporting to Israel is better, but insufficient,” said Gaza merchant Hosni Shehada, who oversaw the preparation of half-ripe tomatoes and large eggplants for export at his warehouse.
Before Hamas took over the territory nearly eight years ago, Gaza merchants used to export hundreds of tonnes of vegetables to Israel on a daily basis.
Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade after Hamas ousted forces loyal to the Western-backed Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in bloody street battles.
Critics say the blockade amounts to collective punishment.
Since Israel launched a 50-day war on Gaza last summer, the Jewish state has increased the amount of entry permits for the territory’s merchants to travel to the West Bank and Israel for business, and allowed more textile and furniture exports.
COGAT, the military agency that handles Gaza civilian affairs, said other vegetables will later be marketed along with the tomatoes and eggplants. It said about 1,500 tons of Gaza produce are expected monthly, with each tonne valued at about US$770 (Dh2,828).
Seventeen farmers sent produce samples to Israel for tests and only nine of them met Israeli standards, the Gaza Agriculture Ministry said. The produce will be exported with the name of the farmer stamped in Arabic and English on the boxes under a “Product of Gaza” line.
The easing of restrictions coincides with the seventh-year sabbatical, called “shmita” in Hebrew, which began last autumn. During that time, according to the Bible, Israeli farmers must give their lands a rest.
Loopholes enable Israelis to eat local produce, but are rejected by a minority of the very devout, who could find an alternative with the Gaza exports.
* Associated Press
Company profile
Company: Eighty6
Date started: October 2021
Founders: Abdul Kader Saadi and Anwar Nusseibeh
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Hospitality
Size: 25 employees
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investment: $1 million
Investors: Seed funding, angel investors
MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
The National selections:
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9.25pm: Kimbear
10pm: Chasing Dreams
10.35pm: Good Fortune
'Nope'
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RESULTS
Mumbai Indians 181-4 (20 ovs)
Kolkata Knight Riders 168-6 (20ovs)
Mumbai won by 13 runs
Rajasthan Royals 152-9 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 155-4 (18.4 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab won by 6 wickets
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In addition to the Emirates and Etihad programmes, there is the Air Miles Middle East card, which offers members the ability to choose any airline, has no black-out dates and no restrictions on seat availability. Air Miles is linked up to HSBC credit cards and can also be earned through retail partners such as Spinneys, Sharaf DG and The Toy Store.
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The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
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