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Israel

FTA ’followed in letter and spirit’
29-May-2006 Gulf Daily News
The US government has confirmed that Bahrain is no longer part of an Arab boycott of Israeli products in line with its commitment to the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Free trade with South America a step closer
8-May-2006 Jerusalem Post
A free trade agreement between Israel and Mercosur took another step towards realization recently with the closure of a second round of talks.
Yes Mr. Solana, the EU has abandoned the Palestinian people
4-May-2006 The Electronic Intifada
If Solana wants to demonstrate genuine support for the Palestinians he can start by calling for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, in accordance with its Article 2 which grants Israel trade privileges only on condition that it respects human rights.
Punishing the victim: PCHR position paper on the decision to stop international aid to the Palestinian National Authority
24-Apr-2006 PCHR
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights says that the EU has failed to enforce Article 2 of its Association Agreement with Israel and suspend the privileges given to Israel until it fulfills its obligations on human rights and democracy.
Israel, Mercosur negotiating free-trade agreement
16-Feb-2006 Globes
Israel has initiated negotiations for a free-trade agreement with Mercosur. Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor director general Raanan Dinur said, “This is one of the most important steps Israel has taken in foreign trade in recent years.”
Free trade agreements: The quiet economic track of US Middle East policy
13-Feb-2006 Washington Institute
Since the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the Bush administration has placed democratization and reform in the Middle East at the top of its agenda. While press reports have focused on political developments, another key component to the American strategy entails encouraging economic growth, modernization, and liberalization throughout the region.
Israel, Hungary sign economic cooperation agreement
9-Feb-2006 Globes
Israel and Hungary have signed an economic cooperation agreement and a statement of intent on cooperation in R&D.
Industries eye qiz option
30-Dec-2005 Business Monthly
When representatives of Egypt, Israel and the US met in Cairo last December, they signed a historic agreement that more or less linked Egypt’s industrial success to its willingness to cooperate with its traditional foe, Israel.
Israel, Arab world engage in hidden trade
26-Dec-2005 AP
Staff members at a Riyadh hospital got a surprise when they looked at the fine print on the paper cups they were using.
Israel signs South American trade agreement
10-Dec-2005
Israel signed an agreement to expand trade with a South American free-trade alliance. The deal is aimed at eventually creating a free-trade area between Israel and MERCOSUR, which encompasses Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Israel seeks free trade agreement with Mercosur bloc
17-Nov-2005
At the end of last week, Minister of Finance and Industry, Trade and Labor Ehud Olmert met with Brazil’s State of Sao Paolo Governor Geraldo Alckmin in order to promote a free trade region with the Mercosur bloc (Mercado Comun del Sur), comprising Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. The signing of a framework agreement is expected in December.
US designates new Qualifying Industrial Zone in Egypt
31-Oct-2005 Haaretz
United States trade representative Rob Portman designated on Monday a new Qualifying Industrial Zone (QIZ) in Egypt and approved the expansion of two existing zones.
Egypt, Israel enhance US free trade accord
31-Oct-2005 AFP
Egypt and Israel have agreed to expand the scope of an agreement which allows Egypt to export products containing a quota of Israeli components to the United States free of customs duties.
Bahrain MPs, govt clash over Israel trade plans
12-Oct-2005 Khaleej Times
Bahrain’s parliament yesterday rejected a decision by the government to lift a ban on Israeli goods as part of a trade deal with the United States.
Kuwaitis quietly breach a taboo: easing hostility toward Israel
11-Oct-2005 New York Times
Reports have circulated that Kuwait will lift its embargo on Israel, but they remain unconfirmed. The Kuwaiti daily Al Qabas noted that Kuwait had not yet signed a free-trade agreement with the United States. Such an agreement would not permit a trade embargo on Israel.
Israel ties ruled out
10-Oct-2005 Gulf Daily News
The decision to lift boycott of Israel in line with the US FTA does not entail any economic, cultural, political, diplomatic or any other form of normalisation, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister said.
Hundreds rally against lifting ban
9-Oct-2005 Gulf Daily News
Hundreds of people turned up at two separate sites to demonstrate against Bahrain’s lifting of a boycott of Israeli goods yesterday
Bahrain societies flay move to normalise ties with Israel
30-Sep-2005 Gulf News
Nineteen societies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have rapped moves to normalise relations with Israel and called for joint national and regional efforts to abort the US-initiated Broader Middle East project.
Democrats press labor ahead of Bahrain FTA vote
30-Sep-2005 ABC News
US Democrats pressed Bahrain on Thursday to change its labor laws before an expected vote in Congress this year on a bilateral free trade pact with the tiny kingdom known as the Gulf’s banking hub.
Society vows to work for ban on Israeli goods
26-Sep-2005 Gulf News
"We have been repeatedly told by officials that the free trade agreement [FTA] signed with the US did not include an article on allowing Israeli goods into Bahrain, but we see that the situation has changed now," Al Mouawda said.