Keffiyehs held at 'Israeli' ports until ‘made in Israel’ sticker added: Full story

A Palestinian clothing brand has shed light on why its keffiyehs, made in Nablus, West Bank, were held at 'Israeli' ports for nearly three months before reaching customers abroad.

Customers Spot the Sticker

The delay, the co-founders explained, was reportedly due to 'Israeli' authorities adding a “Made in Israel” sticker to the keffiyehs before they could be exported. The claim came to wider attention after a customer shared a screenshot of the sticker on Reddit.

“This situation highlights the reality that Palestinians in the occupied territories do not control their own borders,” one of the co-founders said, explaining the broader implications for trade in the West Bank.

'Israeli' Control Borders

'Israel' maintains full control over all external borders of the West Bank, meaning that the Palestinian Authority (PA) cannot independently regulate imports or exports.

All goods entering or leaving the territory must pass through 'Israeli'-controlled checkpoints or ports, such as Haifa, Ashdod, or the Allenby Bridge connecting to Jordan.

'Israel' also oversees security and operational procedures at these crossings, and routinely implements internal checkpoints and roadblocks throughout the West Bank. These restrictions can cause significant delays and disruptions for Palestinian businesses.

'Israel' also sets rules and standards for all goods entering or leaving via 'Israeli' crossings. While the Palestinian Standards Institution exists, its influence is limited due to the lack of control over the borders. Duties, tariffs, and trade procedures are similarly dictated by 'Israeli' authorities.

The co-founders of the brand said the incident underscores the challenges Palestinian businesses face in exporting products and operating under occupation.