The IDF Spokesman’s Office announced on Monday, January 23, 2012, a consignment of furniture was exported from Gaza to an exhibition in Jordan, via the Allenby Bridge, in accordance with the Security Cabinet’s June 2010 decision to gradually expand the export of agricultural products, furniture and textiles from the Gaza Strip to global markets. The transfer from Gaza to Israel took place on Sunday, January 22nd under the auspices of the Coordination and Liaison Administration at the Erez Crossing.

Coordinator of Government Activities in Territories Maj.-Gen. Eitan Dangot oversaw staff work in conjunction with the IDF, the Israel Police, the Defense Ministry, Israel Customs Authority and other government offices, the Quartet and the Palestinian Authority, in order to enable the furniture export.  The Coordination and Liaison Administration at Erez then coordinated the actual transport of the furniture (including chandeliers, cupboards, dressers, beds, tables, chairs, etc.).

The furniture export was in parallel with the agricultural exports from Gaza to European markets, in which, as of today, over 400 tons of strawberries, 40 tons of peppers, 6 tons of cherry tomatoes and 812,000 carnations have been exported.

The Coordinator of Government Activities in Territories unit will continue to work through the Coordination and Liaison Administration at Erez, in order to facilitate the gradual increase in exports from Gaza, in accordance with the civil-economic policy committed to by the Israeli government, subject to ongoing security assessments.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)