Cablegate: Palestinian Fresh Produce to U.S.

VZCZCXYZ0111
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHJM #0538 0871323
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 271323Z MAR 08
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1019
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 000538

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA/IPA FOR SHAMPAINE/SACHAR; NSC FOR PASCUAL; TREASURY FOR
CONNOLLY
PLEASE PASS TO USAID FOR MCCLOUD/BORODIN
PLEASE PASS TO USTR FOR MOWRY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ETRD KWBG
SUBJECT: PALESTINIAN FRESH PRODUCE TO U.S.

REF: 2007 JERUSALEM 869

1. (U) USG assistance facilitated the shipment of a sizable
quantity of fresh produce from the West Bank to New York via
Jordan on March 24. The USD 10,000 shipment of chives and
tarragon herbs originated from a farm in Tubas, northeast of
Nablus, that has been the recipient of USAID support through
the Palestinian Agriculture Partnership Activity (PAPA)
program since 2006. According to PAPA contractors, this is
the first shipment of Palestinian fresh produce to the U.S.
that any of them can remember.

2. (U) According to those involved, the shipment went
smoothly. At the Allenby Bridge, Israeli authorities
permitted back-to-back transfer on the West Bank side of the
bridge, allowing the shipment to remain chilled throughout.
The herbs were flown from Amman to New York. The U.S. buyer
confirmed the shipment passed USDA and customs inspections on
March 25. The shipment's country of origin label reads "West
Bank via Israel."

3. (U) This cable has been cleared by USAID WB/G.
WALLES

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