A few weeks after it was reported that Israeli companies had signed an agreement for work on the new Palestinian city of Rawabi on the West Bank that, according to the Palestinians, includes a commitment by the companies not to purchase products from Israeli companies in Judea and Samaria, Minister of National Infrastructures Uzi Landau has issued a harsh response.
Late yesterday, Landau instructed the director general of his ministry, Shaul Zemach, that the ministry and all ancillary bodies were forbidden to contract with companies participating in the Rawabi project under the conditions mentioned.
"It is utterly unacceptable for the Ministry of National Infrastructures to enter into any business contract with any of the companies carrying out work for the city of Rawabi that, for the purposes of their work there, undertook not to buy products from Israeli companies in the areas of Judea and Samaria," the letter states.
Landau explains his decision by saying, "The Ministry of National Infrastructures under my leadership will not tolerate discrimination between different groups of citizens that is contrary to the basic values of the State of Israel."
The Ministry of National Infrastructures explained this morning that the letter was binding on companies subject to the ministry's authority, and that copies of it had been sent to the head of the Water Authority, the chairman of Israel Electricity Corporation, the chairman of Israel National Gas Lines Ltd., the chairman of Mekorot Water Company Ltd., and the chairman of Petroleum & Energy Infrastructures Ltd.
Among the companies whose names have been linked to work on the Palestinian city are Teldor Cables and Systems from Kibbutz Ein-Dor, and Ytong Industries Ltd.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 24, 2011
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2011