Karni crossing will give priority to agriculture produce

In a statement issued by the IAA the authority said that the priority status will be valid until the end of the Muslim month of Ramadan which ends on October 18
 
Mr. Gabi Ophir, Israel's Airports Authority ( IAA ) director general agreed last week to a request put forwards by Mr. Shalom Simhon, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, to give crossing priority to israeli agricultural products passing to Gaza through the Karni border crossing. The terminal has been closed about 100 days so far this year due to terrorists threats.
 
In a statement issued by the IAA the authority said that the priority status will be valid until the end of the Muslim month of Ramadan which ends on October 18.
 
According to agriculture ministry press release the agreement was negotiated between agriculture ministry director general Yael Shaltieli and Mr. Gabi Ophir who agreed to extend the hours of operation at the terminal. The ministry also noted that Israel's minilary authorities agreed that agriculture products would be allowed to remain at the inspection site after hours.
 
Israeli farmers sell over 70,000 tons (15% of Israel's fresh fruit produce ) of fruits and vegetables, to the Palestinian Authority in Gaza. According to data released last week by the fruit growers' association damages related to the closures if the Karni crossing in 2006 were around NIS 30 million.