En route to Gaza slaughterhouses (Archive photo)?
Agriculture minister: Transfer calves to prevent starvation in Gaza
Shalom Simhon calls on Defense Ministry to permit transfer of 4,500 calves recently imported from Australia despite Gaza's 'hostile entity' status
Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon (Labor) demanded Thursday that the Defense Ministry permit the transfer of 4,500 calves into Gaza.
According to the minister, the transfer of the calves, which were imported to the region from Australia, could help prevent starvation in the Strip. He said he was considering submitting a bill that would omit the agricultural aspect from the Cabinet's recent declaration of Gaza a "hostile political entity".
According to Simhon, Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai approved the gradual transfer into the Strip of 1,500 out of the 4,500 calves that are quarantined in Israel. The calves are being kept at Kibbutz Ayalot and Moshav Tzofar in the Arava.
Another shipment of 1,500 calves is currently on its way from Australia.
Simhon said Israel should also permit Palestinian farmers in Gaza to export flowers and strawberries to Europe. The Dutch government has invested 20 million euros in Gaza's agricultural field this year, especially in flowers and strawberries.
According to the minister, the transfer of the calves to Gaza would also prevent the "flooding" of the Israeli market and substantial financial losses to the country's farmers.
"We cannot let the population in Gaza starve, despite the Cabinet's decision," he said. "This is also an issue of animal welfare. The calves are being held in quarantine stations in tough conditions after spending days the ship from Australia.
Simhon is expected to meet the Palestinian agriculture minister on Sunday.
