Israel approves Gaza's first export: Valentine's Day flowers

by Amy Judd | February 12, 2009 at 01:32 pm

525 views | 37 Recommendations | 16 comments

For the first time in a year Israel has approved an export from Gaza - about 25,000 flowers to be sent to Europe just in time for Valentine's Day.

Israel has not allowed an export from Gaza since June 2007 but now Israeli military spokesman Maj Peter Lerner has said that Israel will let 25,000 carnations to go through the border as per a request from the Dutch government and farmers in the Gaza Strip.

Mr. Lerner has praised the gesture by the Israelis. However, Mohammed Khalil, who is head of the Gaza flower grower's association has called the move 'nothing'.

Gaza used to export about 40 million flowers a year so this shipment of 25,000 seems insignificant to Mohammed Khalil.

"We had to feed the flowers to the animals because we couldn't export them," he said.

"We are afraid of losing our reputation in Europe and are afraid to plan ahead."

The flowers are to exit Gaza through an Israeli cargo crossing and are scheduled to hit the European market by Valentine's Day on Saturday.

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Yuliya Talmazan

at 15:31 on February 12th, 2009

Not allowing Gazans to trade is not justifiable, in my opinion. The international community has to pressure for more trade.

rumana husain

at 18:03 on February 12th, 2009

from 40 million to 25,000 is obviously a pittance and an eye wash. what a shame.

tikun

at 05:20 on February 13th, 2009

It is the case of half-full or half-empty. Instead of being pleased that the flow of trade is beginning to happen as Hamas stops or at least slowed down the rockets all I hear is bitching. Until there is some kind of appreciation for the possibility of "normalcy" then we in the Middle East need to be optimistic.

harringtola

at 21:29 on February 12th, 2009

Will this be the olive branch that will be the start of change? Could something seemingly so small have a huge impact? One can hope.

Uwe Paschen

at 21:57 on February 12th, 2009

I doubt that they are many roses left after that carnage. And what is left the 25T is not going to bring much n view of the shift the suppliers have taken and the investments made in Zaire to counter the losses in Lebanon and Gaza.

tikun

at 05:26 on February 13th, 2009

It is not the quantity that is important at the moment it is the feeling here in Israel that it is worth the risk in spite the signals of "weakness and capitulation " to outside requests that Hamas feeds on. Any sign of a so-called weakness they seize as a reason to continue their Terror. The latest war put a "shock and awe" into their hearts for once and now the flurry of ceasefire talks including the release of our soldier that was kidnapped. It is unfortunate that it takes all this destruction to wake them up.

Micthemini

at 01:27 on February 13th, 2009

Hopefully this 'nothing' will lead to a 'something'. Things start with a trickle.

Micthemini has contributed a photo to this story.

tikun

at 05:27 on February 13th, 2009

I agree.

Robin Koelling (not verified)

at 05:41 on February 13th, 2009

Hopefully this seemingly small gesture will be the start of greater trade. It shouldn't be discounted because it is "only 25,000". Some of the greatest, most positive changes have started with something small. Its a step in the right direction.

bittersweetoriginal

at 05:45 on February 13th, 2009

bittersweetoriginal has contributed a photo to this story.

icebandit

at 07:21 on February 13th, 2009

My fahter was a true Irishmen. He was in the Army for 3-4 years. Came home and raised a great family. 3 different Complications at the hospital prolonged his home coming. My father was faced to make a decision, He decided to go home with God. These are Captures I took of the flower arragements. After his Full Honor Burial. You can follow, my Father's Photo's on my Flickr page. www.flickr.com/photos/phantomshockey/ Thank you for reading my artical.

icebandit has contributed a photo to this story.

Babel-Fish

at 20:39 on February 13th, 2009

Could this be a diplomatic move on the part of the Dutch in answer to the anti Islamic film made by a member of their parliament showing their administration is not against Muslims?

I expect so, but allowing 25,000 carnations through the borders is not a move that's going to be a solution for the peace.

The good news is that a ceace fire is being presented to israel today from Hamas. But it's only a 10 year plan and Israel sounds distrusting. But lets just hope this is going to stop innocent lives being lost and a good move towards peace in the middle east.

My fingers are cross and those that follow a religion, please pray for peace.

gerrypopplestone

at 21:24 on February 13th, 2009

At last, a move in the right direction!

Yellow Guitar

at 23:37 on February 13th, 2009

A small step, but a step is a step. Flowers instead of bullets. Good for the Dutch.

appaled (not verified)

at 13:07 on February 14th, 2009

the story is appalling and points to the bias at nowpublic, notpublic.

ectomorfo

at 11:11 on February 15th, 2009

Akin to a drop of water on a hot stone. And contrary to what has been suggested elsewhere, the number of carnations being allowed for export on this occasion is of *some considerable relevance* because it makes it abundantly clear that this is merely another in a series of amateur PR stunts by the Israelis.

Holland also receives for repackaging and relabelling from Israel many flowers grown in the Occupied Territories on behalf of 50% Israeli state-owned company Carmel Agrexco. Grown on illegal settlements on Palestinian land, they are illegally traded goods. Thousands of Palestinians are compelled by the complete strangulation of Palestinian agriculture resulting from the Israeli occupation to work packing goods for export in packing houses on land forcibly taken from their communities by illegal Israeli settlers. They are paid as little of 30 shekels (c. £4) a day and have no sick pay, holiday pay, rights to unionise or contracts. Many children also work in these packing houses.