One of the top stories at IslamOnline.net:RABAT — Branded with Israeli trademark "Bat Sheva", Israeli dates are flooding Moroccan markets during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.The comments on the article are even funnier:
"I found dates carrying Israeli trademark in the markets," Abdel-Jalil, a teacher, told IslamOnline.net Saturday, September 22.
Trademarked "Bat Sheva" – the Hebrew name of the town of Beersheba (well, no it isn't - it is the Hebrew name for Bathsheba - EoZ) – the Israeli dates can been seen in abundance on the shelves in eastern and central Morocco.
The "Made in Israel" label is obviously seen on the packages.
"We used to buy dates from Arab countries such as Tunisia," said hajj Mohamed, a dates vendor.
"I myself would not buy dates produced by our enemy," he said.
Mohamed said some merchants are greedy and uncaring.
"They disrespect the sensibilities of Moroccans and are only after money," he said.
He said some retailers are baffling merchants like him and mix Israeli dates with Arab ones.
"The other day, I was shocked to know that some of the dates were made in Israel," he said.
Abdel-Jalil, the teacher, says merchants tend to remove the Israeli label and sell the dates as if they were made in Arab countries like Egypt.
"This is provocative," said Khaled Al-Sufiany, coordinator of the national group for the support of Iraq and Palestine.
"The pro-Israel camp is exploiting Ramadan and slam dunk a trade normalization on the laypeople," he added.
The advocates "are funding the Zionist regime to continue its daily crimes against the Palestinians," he said.
Morocco repeatedly denies any trade relations with Israel.
The North African kingdom closed its trade office in Tel Aviv and the Israeli trade office in Rabat following the outbreak of the 2000 Al-Aqsa intifada.
But non-government groups say that the two countries are having booming ties, especially in the agricultural field.
A recent report by Israel Export Institute said that Israeli exports to Morocco mushroomed by 5.3 percent in the first quarter of 2006.
could be harmfull
By bilade on 2007-09-22 16:55 (GMT)
israel is known to put chemicals in food they export to arab countries that make you steral. there not harmful chemicals but they make you not have children anymore. so good luck with that!!
By Ahmed on 2007-09-22 20:16 (GMT)
I fully support the previous comment by Bilade commented. I really disappointed by our Muslim bothers not only in Morroco but sadly almost everywhere. And this is prove of that ahadith of our beloved Rassullu allah (S.A.W). Which says that. There is the time will come we (Muslims) will be many but fibble.
I feel very sorry for our brothers in Palestine
By Nawale on 2007-09-22 22:54 (GMT)
I'm a Moroccan girl and I feel manupilated from our government and those merchants that sell us those Israely products without our knowledge.
It's a shame . Hasbona Allah Wani3ema Alewakile
UPDATE: I just saw that Israellycool beat me to this story. But he does have a six hour advantage :)