• Ministry slams systematic campaign aimed at undermining national product reputation and harming Palestinian agricultural economy

RAMALLAH, February 23, 2026 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture today strongly rejected Israeli media claims that exported Palestinian vegetables are contaminated with pesticide residues, describing such claims as a deliberate campaign aimed at undermining the reputation of national products and harming the Palestinian agricultural economy.

The Ministry said that such claims are part of escalatory policies affecting various sectors and seeking to weaken one of the most important pillars of national resilience on the ground.

In a statement today, Monday, the Ministry emphasized that the Palestinian agricultural sector operates under a strict technical and scientific monitoring system that adheres to internationally recognized food safety and pesticide use standards.

The Ministry stressed that any such claims must be based on reliable laboratory results from independent technical authorities, not on media statements lacking scientific evidence.

The Ministry clarified that the Pesticides Scientific Committee is the sole national authority authorized to approve, regulate, and update pesticide lists in accordance with international standards.

It also highlighted the issuance of the 2025 Agricultural Pesticides Guide as a national reference regulating safe and responsible use.

The Ministry emphasized that pesticides are imported through official channels in accordance with established regulatory procedures, often passing through Israeli authorities with their approval, and that it carries out both routine and unannounced inspections to oversee distribution and prevent the entry of unauthorized products.

The Ministry affirmed that products exported to the Israeli market are identical to those sold locally and comply with the same production, safety, and quality standards recognized in international agricultural trade.

The Ministry reiterated its commitment to protecting public health, safeguarding the reputation of Palestinian agricultural products, and continuously developing monitoring, inspection, and guidance systems to strengthen confidence in Palestinian produce, support farmers’ resilience, and bolster the national economy.

T.R.