Defense Minister Ehud Barak approved Tuesday the importation of lulavs (date palm fronds) from Gaza, after Minister of Religious Services Yakov Mergi asked him to do so. The lulavs are one of the four species used in the morning prayer services during the upcoming Jewish holiday of Sukkot.The story appeared in Palestine Today in Arabic as well.The request comes as a result of a shortage in lulavs and concern over a possible cartel by dealers, resulting in a price hike.
I don't understand why palm branches aren't available from anywhere else. If anything, importing them from PA-controlled areas of the West Bank would be preferable.