Vegetables in 'Israel' from Jordan might contain cholera: Reports
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The Israeli authorities found that the produce they are importing from Jordan might have cholera in them after the waters of the Yarmouk River tested positive for the bacteria.
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Vendors sell fruit and vegetables in a market in Haifa, occupied Palestine, Monday, August 5, 2024 (AP)
The Israeli Ministry of Health announced Friday that it was suspending imports of fruit and vegetables from Jordan following positive cholera test results from the Yarmouk River waters, which are used to irrigate crops.
The primary imports affected are cucumbers and tomatoes, which are staples in the Israeli occupation's market.
This decision comes after the discovery of the Vibrio cholerae bacteria in water samples taken from the Yarmouk River at the entrance to the Yarmouk reservoir. The findings indicate a high likelihood of cholera contamination in the drainage area upstream, raising concerns that imported produce from Jordan could be tainted with the bacteria.
"Given the reports from a certified laboratory confirming the presence of the toxigenic Vibrio cholerae strain in the Yarmouk River water samples, I am exercising my authority [...] to halt the import of fresh fruits and vegetables from Jordan until further information is obtained..." said Penina Oren-Shnidor, Head of the National Food Service.
The Ministry said it is coordinating with Jordanian authorities to assess the situation and determine the water source used for irrigation.
Given the current context of limited agricultural production due to the war on Gaza and the Resistance operations from Lebanon, as well as the cessation of imports from Turkey, it is anticipated that the prices of these vegetables will rise significantly.
The Israeli occupation's economy was suffering as is in light of the war it was waging on Gaza, and the situation was only exacerbated by the blockades and the obstructions in place on its ports and supply lines, and the terrible economic conditions, in turn, were making the Israeli occupation unappealing for investors, and an economy that is already struggling cannot take the shock of not having investors.
Moreover, Turkey's exports to "Israel" nearly ceased in May after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's administration halted trade until sufficient humanitarian aid reached Gaza.
According to preliminary data from Turkey’s main exporters association, shipments to "Israel" plummeted 99% year-on-year to $4.4 million. The official statistics service, TurkStat, is set to release comprehensive trade data, including imports, later in June.
At the beginning of last month, the Turkish Trade Ministry announced that trade relations with "Israel" would be suspended until Tel Aviv allowed for the "uninterrupted and sufficient flow" of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
