A major Jewish holiday appears to have become the latest victim of strained Israeli-Egyptian ties.
Israel's
Agriculture Ministry says Egypt
has banned the export of palm fronds
to Israel and Jewish communities abroad.
The fronds, known as lulavim (one of the Four Species mentioned in the Torah), are used in prayer services during the upcoming Sukkot
festival.
The ministry says it was notified by Egypt this week. Egypt supplies about 700,000 of the fronds to Israel each year. It says no reason was given.
There was no immediate comment from Egypt.
The ministry says more expensive Israeli fronds are expected to fill the void.
Israel's relations with Egypt have deteriorated since a popular uprising ousted
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in February. Earlier this month, an Egyptian mob stormed the Israeli Embassy
in Cairo and forced Israeli diplomats to be evacuated.
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