Israel ends ban on Palestinian farm exports, resolving trade spat

Israel has ended its ban on Palestinian agricultural exports after the Palestinian Authority lifted its curb on calf imports from Israeli livestock farmers, the defence ministry said Thursday, seemingly resolving a months-long trade dispute.

The Palestinian Authority had in September significantly reduced the number of calves imported from Israel, saying at the time it wanted to decrease dependence on Israeli producers.

After dialogue failed, Israel on February 2 cut Palestinian exports to the Jewish state.

The Palestinians retaliated by banning imports of Israeli produce, soft drinks and mineral water.

Israel then extended its ban on Palestinian exports to the Allenby Bridge border crossing with Jordan, the only route through which Palestinian goods in the West Bank can reach foreign markets.

The trade war had threatened to escalate as tensions in the West Bank surged after US President Donald Trump unveiled a controversial peace plan.

But on Thursday, Israeli Defence Minister Bennett announced he had removed all of the restrictions imposed on Palestinian exports, "after the ban on the Israeli farmers was removed", the ministry said in a statement.

The Palestinian agriculture ministry announced the immediate import of "livestock, including calves" as well as "all products and commercial goods from all countries of the world without obstacles".

"This came after a series of direct and indirect discussions through international parties, which resulted in Israel retracting its illegal measures," the ministry said in a statement late Wednesday.