- Note: Bahrain already announced lifting its economic embargo on Israel.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Israel, Kuwait, and the Trade Emabrgo
Al-Rai Al-Aam tipped Kuwait 2005 to news about the trade embargo on Israeli goods being lifted by four countries in the GCC. After searching for the source, the news was verified. Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth published a story today claiming that Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Dubai, will soon announce the end of the economic embargo on Israel. The newspaper claims that this change is a direct result of American pressure on the GCC states mentioned, as they seek to reach free-trade agreements with the U.S. The newspaper also claims that Saudi Arabia was excluded from this deal amid fears of fueling terrorist attacks, a position America accepted.
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2 comments:
Cool! Does that mean I'll be able to buy Matzos at the co-op soon? Hah. =)
The problem with this is that governments actually think their people believe them. Any average joe can easily find out that Israeli goods have been swamping the GCC for ages. Remember the days when Coca Cola, etc., were banned? Marks and Spencer? McDonald's?
Basically lifting the embargo is a symbolic and mental advantage for the Israelis over the Arabs. Why would they need that now? After the unpopular withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, Sharon is keen to show his people that they are winning, and that Arabs are being defeated. This embargo thing is just for that reason.
The important question here is this...Why are GCC countries so eager to sign free-trade agreements with the U.S.? It's not like these countries are mega-exporters and such an agreement would save them billions. I wonder why...
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