UK boycott may have limited economic impact

Britain, along with 11 other countries, announced restrictions on imports and business activities from Israeli communities in Judea, Samaria, eastern Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. While the direct economic impact on Israel's total exports, which are approximately $159 billion annually (with $250 million from the targeted areas), is expected to be limited, a senior Economy Ministry official, Roey Fisher, warned of a "chilling factor." This could make foreign importers hesitant to deal with Israeli companies due to uncertainty about product origins. The measures, which Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated would ban imports from communities Britain considers illegal, are expected to disproportionately affect agricultural producers, particularly the date industry. The Foreign Trade Administration is assisting exporters in finding alternative markets, including India, the UAE, Chile, and Argentina, and is offering grants of up to 200,000 shekels.