Jordan, Scandinavian and UK protest Israeli fruit imports

Fruit growers in Israel reported delays and reductions in orders from abroad due to various boycotts against Israeli produce
 
Jordanian Islamist and leftist activists staged last week a sit-in at the country's wholesale food market to protest against exotic Israeli fruits and vegetables being sold. The protesters, holding anti-Israeli banners, urged merchants to suspend imports from Israel of a variety of exotic fruits such as avocado, kiwi along with carrots and tomatoes sold in groceries and supermarkets.
 
In the UK a boycott of Israeli products and leisure tourism (not pilgrimages) was launched at the House of Commons on Wednesday night. The first target will be agricultural produce sold in the main supermarkets, such as tomatoes, Jaffa oranges, potatoes, avocados, fresh herbs and organic fruit and vegetables.
 
Fruit growers in Israel have reported delays and reductions in orders from abroad since the military operation in Gaza was launched, due to various boycotts against Israeli produce.
 
Farmers say much of their produce is being held in warehouses due to canceled orders, and fear a sharp decrease in fruit exports to countries such as Jordan, Britain, and the Scandinavian countries.
 
According to Ilan Eshel, director of the Israel Fruit Growers Association, the Gaza War is resulting in a growing boycott of Israeli produce, which is already evident in Scandinavian countries and the UK, "It's mostly Sweden, Norway, and Denmark," he said. "In Scandinavia the tendency is general, and it may come to include all of the chains.”
 
Orders are being canceled, compelling farmers to pay for storage, as their produce’s value drops as they seek alternative venues to close a deal.
 
It should be pointed out that the boycott existed prior to the war in some areas, particularly in the UK where the anti-Israel sentiment has been on the rise, targeting all products manufactured and originating in the West Bank (Yehuda and Shomron) primarily. This was evident in the form of sharply higher tariffs on thosh goods.
 
Eshel noted that the boycott did not exist before the Gaza offensive was launched. "It's getting worse, and more voices can be heard calling to boycott Israeli merchandise," he said.