Egyptians bust lulav smuggling ring

In 2011, the Egyptian government banned export of palm fronds, claiming that it was meant to protect the trees from overharvesting. However, it was obvious from the statements of officials at the time that the move was aimed specifically at Jews who require the branches, called lulavim, for the fall holiday of Sukkot.

At the time the harvesters of palm trees complained at how much money they would lose.

It appears that they decided to do something about it.

According to Egyptian media today, a lulav smuggling ring has been busted.

The Agriculture Ministry found evidence that lulavim were smuggled to Jordan, under the label "mangoes" or "accessories." From Jordan they were then sent to either Israel or to something called the "Israeli Center" in New York.

Six officials responsible for quarantining illegal exports have been suspended from their jobs.

The articles explain, quite wrongly, that Jews decorate their homes and synagogues with the palm fronds, which they say symbolize the palm fronds the Jews took with them out of Egypt.