RAMALLAH, Thursday, February 20, 2020 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Ministry of National Economy and Ministry of Agriculture confirmed last night that Palestinian businesses have resumed import of animal livestock and other goods from abroad after Israel has lifted the recent ban on imports.

They said that the first shipment of calves was imported directly from Portugal.

This came after negotiations with Israel through international mediators to end the Israeli ban on Palestinian imports and exports seem to have yielded results.

Since Palestinians in the West Bank do not control their borders with the outside world, including their immediate neighbor Jordan, import and export of goods from and into the occupied West Bank and Gaza are done only through Israeli ports and with Israeli permission.

Israel, recently, banned Palestinian imports in retaliation for their demand to directly import from world markets and not only from Israel. This ban was lately expanded to also include exports to Israel and the outside world, hurting as a result the Palestinian economy.

The Israeli ban went into effect on February 2 and in retaliation the Palestinian government banned entry of Israeli vegetables, fruits, juices, mineral water and carbonated drinks into the Palestinian markets.

Following mediation from unidentified international parties, Israel agreed to lift the ban on imports and exports of goods into and out of the Palestinian territories, said the two ministries in a statement.

It also agreed to give the Palestinians the right to establish their own quarantine facilities.

K.T./M.K.