Washington – Congressman Howard L. Berman (CA-28), Ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent the following letter this week to the Prime Minister of Egypt, Essam Sharaf, expressing his serious concern over reports that Egypt has made a decision to ban the export of the palm fronds that form the spine of the ritual lulav, necessary for the Sukkot celebration.
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The Honorable Essam Sharaf
Prime Minister
The Arab Republic of Egypt
c/o Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt
3521 International Court NW
Washington DC, 20008
Dear Prime Minster Sharaf:
I am writing to express my deep concern over reports that Egypt has made a decision to ban the export of palm fronds, also known as lulavs, used in the upcoming Jewish holiday of Sukkot, which this year begins on October 12th of this year. Given that Egypt is one of the world’s largest supplier of lulavs, an export ban imposed so close to Sukkot may lead to shortages or extreme price spikes – causing financial hardship for families and communities simply wishing to fulfill their religious obligations.
I understand that Egypt has previously limited the export of lulavs to prevent overharvesting, and I appreciate the fact that Egypt has a sovereign right to manage its agricultural resources, but such prior export limitations were announced well in advance of Sukkot – giving Jewish communities ample notice to secure alternative supplies of lulavs before the holiday.
In light of the recent tensions between Egypt and Israel, there is a widespread perception that the reported ban on lulav exports was imposed for purely political reasons. I sincerely hope this is not the case, for such a restriction could deprive a very large number of Jewish people around the world – including many of my constituents in Los Angeles — of lulavs used in religious services.
I urge your government to reassess in a timely manner the decision to impose an export ban and take all necessary steps to prevent any disruption in the supply of lulavs before Sukkot.
Sincerely,
HOWARD L BERMAN
Ranking Member
I find this letter absurd and pandering to his jewish constituents. If I was to use up a political chit with the new Egyptian government, he should be writing about honoring the peace treaty, doing more to monitor the border with Gaza, etc. The fact that some yidden may pay a few dollars/NIS more for arba minim this year is a really stupid issue to whine about. They can share a lulav in shul the way our grandparents did in the alte heim.
is Egypt the only place to get a lulav?
Let my Lulavs go!
LOL
Well said, Congressman, and thank you!
Nice. We know who to support in the Berman/Sherman primary next year because of redistricting.
Surely, there has to be an alternative supply of Lulavs throughout the world. Why should Cong. Berman have to cowtow to the Egyptians? In the same manner that we should be energy independent, we should also be “Lulav independent”.
Let the price gouging begin…
very nice gesture
Stop buying them from egypt. Buy from Israel. If we had done this in the first place we would not have an issue.
Too bad libs don’t use their brains!!
How many of you sane people think – sorry that leaves out libs – that even if they were to cut palms now that we would have them on time for succos??
There is NO WAY there is enough time for them to harvest, package, ship, CLEAR CUSTOMS, & distribute here!! All this is is a bunch of typical liberal symbolism over substance. Feh!!!!
This is important for our country. I supports such action. Are you with me?
Git gezukt!
Couldn’t of said it better!
Buy from USA , Greece, etc. not Egypt.