A new installation for scanning cargo was dedicated on Tuesday, 14 Shevat, at the Allenby Crossing between Israel and Jordan. It is anticipated that the installation will facilitate an increase in commercial activity at the crossing while improving and enhancing customs inspections and providing efficient and quality service. The facility will give practical expression to commercial ties between the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) and also serve commerce between the PA and Jordan.

The event attracted an impressive number of local and foreign officials including Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, Deputy Finance Minister Yitzhak Cohen, Israel Tax Authority Director Moshe Asher, PA Economy Minister Abir Ouda, Airports Authority Deputy Director-General Shlomo Oren, Israel Customs Administration Director Avi Arditti, Land Crossings Customs Director Ofir Zilberman, Deputy Netherlands Ambassador to Israel Maurits Verhijden, PA Crossings Director Nazmi Mahana and State Employees Union Chairman Ariel Yaacobi, as well as – inter alia – representatives from the Jordanian government, the PA, European embassies, the US Embassy, the UN and the Quartet.

Also participating in today’s ceremony were representatives of the many agencies involved in various aspects of the project including the Airports Authority, the Regional Cooperation Ministry, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories.

The significant and constant increase in the magnitude of PA imports and exports through the Allenby Crossing led to a government decision to build – and invest tens of millions of shekels in – the scanning facility. The Dutch government contributed the scanner itself to the PA. The Israel Tax Authority led the work and was responsible for building and operating the expanded, sophisticated installation which will be able to deal with all types of merchandise, whether in containers or not.

The scanning facility will double the number of containers that can be inspected from 100 to 200 daily, may be operated in all weather conditions, will allow for high level of safety, and will interface with Airports Authority systems, which will expedite the release of merchandise. The facility’s rapid new processes will facilitate the transport of goods requiring refrigeration (for example), for which processing time is critical.

Finance Minister Kahlon, PA Economy Minister Ouda cut the ribbon at the entrance to the facility. In honor of Tu B’Shevat, Deputy Finance Minister Cohen planted an almond tree and affixed a mezuzah on the main entrance of the facility.

Finance Minister Kahlon stated, “I came to the Finance Ministry following a prolonged stalemate in Israel-PA relations. We decided to take responsibility and advance several joint projects. The project that we are dedicating today is an example of small thing leading to a big change. We have many plans for continued economic cooperation with the PA. On Sunday I am due to meet with PA Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and we intend to continue advancing several joint projects. This week I met with Jason Greenblatt who strongly supports moving things forward. We view Jason Greenblatt and the US as important, fair, principal and the only mediators in advancing regional cooperation.”

Israel Tax Authority Director Asher added, “In my view, this dedication of the scanning facility symbolizes the constant continuation of productive cooperation between the Israeli tax and customs authorities and those of the PA, in the context of which we are considering ways to improve tax collection and the enforcement of tax, customs and commercial laws. We and our PA counterparts are also considering ways to advance additional projects regarding customs and VAT. This is to benefit both the PA and the State of Israel.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/photo credit: Oded Karni)