A Palestinian national committee proclaimed Monday that effective Wednesday, Abbas’ PA will officially begin boycotting products from 6 major Israeli companies.

By Cynthia Blank

A national Palestinian committee announced Monday its intention to prohibit the sale of products by six major Israel companies in areas of Judea and Samaria controlled by the Palestinian Authority.

Anti-Israel boycott campaigners – Reuters

The ban is slated to begin Wednesday, while Palestinian merchants will be given two weeks time to clear their stock of the Israeli products, committee head Mahmoud al-Aloul said., according to Ma’an.

However, committee members, during a press conference in Ramallah to announce the ban, urged retailers to implement the new policy as soon as possible.

After two weeks have passed, inspectors, sent by the committee, will tour businesses and stores to ensure the absence of these particular Israeli products, and that the boycott is being properly enforced.

Ibrahim al-Jazarah, the head of the Palestinian Customs Authority, noted that “Palestinian customs officials will supervise the implementation of the decision in areas where the Israeli goods are delivered.”

The companies named in the boycott include Tnuva, Strauss, Osem, Elite, Prigat, and Jafora.

Al-Aloul, who is also a Fatah Central Committee member, stated that the national committee who made the decision to boycott represents all Palestinian organizations and factions, and also has representatives from the private and business sectors.

According to al-Aloul, the boycott serves as a retaliatory response to Israel’s decision to freeze tax funds to the Palestinian Authority as well as other “Israeli violations,” which include “appropriation of large tracts of Palestinian land for settlement purposes.”

Those measures came as a result of the PA’s unilateral moves, including turning to the United Nations Security Council for statehood and joining the International Criminal Court in order to lodge a war crimes complaint against Israel.

Al-Aloul argues that boycotts such as this one should be part of the PA’s permanent strategy. Barring products from these companies are only a gradual step to the final objective of boycotting all Israeli goods.

“Boycotting Israeli products should be a clear and consistent strategy for the Palestinians,” Aloul stressed. “It’s the first among several steps … to boycott all Israeli goods that reach the Palestinian market.”

View original Arutz Sheva publication at: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/191128#.VNj6rC6kE8I