PA hypocrisy: PA increases trade with Israel, yet calls on others to boycott

The Palestinian Authority is a strong supporter and proponent of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. As such, when Ben and Jerry’s decided to adopt the BDS platform and halt ice cream sales in Judea and Samaria, PA Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh was quick to praise the “moral values” of the company.

While the PA and its leadership wholeheartedly support the BDS movement, a recent report published by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) shows that trade between Israel and the Palestinians in constantly increasing.

Referring to October 2021, the PCBS reported:

“Exports to Israel increased in October, 2021 by 10% compared to September, 2021 and it represented 85% of total exports in October, 2021… Imports from Israel increased by 10% in October, 2021 compared to September, 2021 and it represented 54% of total imports in October, 2021.”

In August 2021, the month following Shtayyeh’s tweet, the PCBS reported “Exports to Israel increased in August, 2021 by 28% compared to July, 2021 and it represented 93% of total exports in August, 2021.” Imports from Israel also increased by 13% in August, 2021 compared to July, 2021 and comprised 55% of total imports for that month.

While the BDS movement seeks to single out Israel and inflict financial damage on Israeli companies and on foreign companies that trade with or operate in Israel, the PA and the Palestinians are proving every month that the commercial links with Israel are, first and foremost, in the interest of the Palestinian economy and the Palestinians.