Israeli suppliers of materials and export services to Gazan flower growers suffered losses totaling NIS 20 million. European assistance groups have suspended credit lines to Palestinian cultivators
Haim Hadad, Flower Growers Organization secretary-general, said last week that Israeli suppliers of materials and export services to Gazan flower growers suffered losses totaling NIS 20 million.
The sudden collapse of the flower sector in Gaza and the damage caused to the Palestinian side of the Karni border crossing, which followed the closure of the Karni crossing flower export terminal after Hamas gained control of the Strip, has left hundreds of Palestinians workers unemployed.
European assistance groups which provided credits amounting to Euro 5 million annually, have suspended credit lines to Palestinian cultivators, saying farmers would be unable to meet repayment terms because of the situation.
Gazan flower growers joined the Israeli Flower Growers Association a few months ago, and the parties have cooperated to improve export and marketing conditions. Hadad announced that the organization was taking all measures at its disposal to assist Palestinian growers in getting back to work.
