Gaza exports through Israel continue to grow

COGAT reports that as of the beginning of this month, Gaza farmers have exported 184 tons of strawberries, 2.6 million flowers, 1.5 tons of peppers, 90 tons of cherry tomatoes, 28 tons of tomatoes, and 12.5 tons of spices and herbs for this season.

In addition, Gaza factories have exported significant numbers of plastic boxes and furniture, to my understanding these go to the West bank and other Arab countries.

Today, a shipment of cherry tomatoes are being exported from Gaza to Europe, as well as two truckloads of biscuits for schools in the West Bank.

These exports have been steadily growing and the pace has increased over the past three months as there has been relative calm from Gaza.

This all goes to prove, of course, that Israeli actions in Gaza are not capricious or punitive but are in direct reaction to security threats. When Hamas keeps things calm, Gazans benefit. The message was delivered loud and clear earlier this month when Israel closed the Kerem Shalom crossing for six days in reaction to rocket attacks.

Peace - or in this case, détente- brings benefits. It seems obvious, but in the Middle East, nothing is obvious.