Knesset debate ensues over poisoned produce from the Palestinian Authority

The Civil Administration assessed that approximately 30,000 tons of vegetables were smuggled without supervision.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

A heated debate took place at the Knesset on Sunday over what lawmakers described as insufficient action against Israeli distributors who marketed produce from the Palestinian Authority that was known to be contaminated.

The discussion followed findings from the Health Ministry that in February nearly half of all cucumbers imported from the Palestinian Authority were contaminated, along with additional fruits and vegetables.

Lawmakers cited the data as part of broader concerns over food safety and enforcement.

A report published by the State Comptroller a year and a half ago found that between 2015 and 2022, the share of samples containing abnormal pesticide residues ranged from 27% to 40%, with a steady increase over that period.

Acting committee chairman MK Amit Halevi (Likud) said during the hearing, “This is a mass poisoning of Israeli citizens, it is hard to believe that such a case exists in this country”.

Halevi said the committee reviewed data indicating high rates of contamination in produce.

“We were exposed to increasingly horrifying data, tens of percent of poisoning within fruits and vegetables, the worst kind. It is unbelievable how many men and women developed cancer or how many miscarriages occurred – as a result. This despite an explicit law prohibiting this, and only for considerations of economic harm to Palestinians. They preferred the Palestinians’ economic welfare at the expense of the health of Israeli citizens.”

The hearing also addressed discrepancies in estimates of the volume of goods entering through crossings.

The Civil Administration assessed that approximately 30,000 tons of vegetables were smuggled without supervision.

Health Ministry representatives told the committee that three distributors were found to have sold contaminated produce despite instructions to move the goods to holding warehouses.

Lieutenant Colonel Nir Ezuz, head of civil planning at COGAT, said authorities will implement stricter controls.

He said that from now on 100% of goods will be inspected, field testing will be conducted, and a revised list of authorized distributors will be introduced.