Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon decries the stepped-up PA (Palestinian Authority) boycott of Israeli goods, a move that is coinciding with the start of mediated diplomatic talks with Israel. Ayalon stated that one who encourages the burning of Israeli products basically encourages violence, referring to PA Prime Minister Salim Fayyad.

MK (Ichud HaLeumi) Uri Ariel is calling for a counter boycott, explaining he has already begun assembling a list of PA businesses operating in Yehuda and Shomron to circulate the Israeli response boycott list.

MK (Likud) Ofir Akonis, who chairs the Knesset Economics Affairs Committee is calling on the government to demand an immediate halt of the boycott as the proximity talks get underway. He believes the cabinet must reach a decision as to what operative measures will be taken against the boycott.

Schrage Brosh, who heads the Israel Manufacturers Association, is not panicking, for he feels at the end of the day the PA (Palestinian Authority) is hurting itself and its residents. In a meeting with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Brosh explained there must be a separation between politics and economic issues, expressing his hope that the PA leaders will come to this realization. Should the PA decide to continue, Brosh is confident that Israel will know how to respond, stating “we certainly will not turn the other cheek”.

In the meantime, not only is the boycott enjoying support from PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and other officials, one violating the boycott is subject to fine and imprisonment, a far cry from a limited effort but a PA-wide organized ban of 500 companies.

Some analysts in Israel feel the move will not succeed, explaining residents of the PA are quite spoiled and have grown accustomed to many Israeli products which they are unwilling to do without. They believe the move is more of an effort by Abu Mazen to gain popularity than a legitimate ideological effort by PA leaders.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)