In light of the rising prices of many consumer goods, including meat, in Palestinian markets, and the difficult economic conditions that the citizens face, and their direct impact on food security and purchasing power, the Coalition for Accountability and Integrity (AMAN) sent a letter to Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, including a set of recommendations aimed at enhancing governance in the management of the quota and commodity list system, and maximizing its benefit for the Palestinian citizens.
The letter summarized the outcomes of a hearing session organized by the Coalition entitled “Integrity and transparency in managing the quota and commodity list system”. Representatives of the Ministries of Economy, Agriculture, and Health, in addition to the security services, the State Audit and Administrative Control Bureau (SAACB), the General Administration of Crossings and Borders, as well as the private sector, civil society and relevant oversight bodies participated in this hearing session.
The letter stressed that the currently applicable quota system does not achieve its desired goal of price stabilization, amid the absence of effective government intervention to impose price ceilings or regulate pricing mechanisms for goods imported under this system. This has contributed to the deepening of the purchasing power crisis for Palestinian citizens, especially with the sharp increase in meat prices during key seasons such as Eid Al-Adha.
AMAN called for amending Article (14) of Decision by Law No. (42) Of 2021 on Companies, to ensure that companies are required to disclose the real owners, not just the authorized signatories, directors, and board members. This would play a role in enhancing transparency and limiting conflicts of interest in the quota system, amid growing concerns about the existence of several companies with different names owned by the same individual, which promotes monopoly and price manipulation.
AMAN also called for establishing a clear internal system to regulate the work of the quota committee, ensuring fair representation of all relevant oversight bodies, with clear mechanisms for accountability and monitoring. It emphasized the need to empower small and medium enterprises to access fair shares of the quota, to ensure equitable distribution and prevent a limited number of traders from monopolizing the shares. The recommendations also included preparing an annual plan to determine import quantities and timeframe, setting price ceilings for imported goods in coordination with the Ministries of Economy and Agriculture, and distinguishing these goods in the markets to ensure they are sold at affordable prices to citizens. AMAN recommended listing the names of traders who do not import the full quantities allocated to them, to ensure full utilization of Palestine’s quota and avoid losing customs privileges. It also stressed the importance of monitoring the circulation of quota shares and preventing their resale to other traders, with deterrent penalties for violations. Moreover, it called for greater transparency in managing the quota and commodity list system by developing an electronic platform that publishes accurate data on imported goods, importers, quantities, and shares, along with a coding system to track goods in the market. It also called for empowering the General Directorate of Trade to conduct regular internal reviews of the decisions of the quota committee, ensuring the involvement of relevant stakeholders such as the Oversight Unit and the General Directorate of Policies in reviewing and following up on decisions.
Regarding oversight over the slaughterhouse system, AMAN called for implementing Council of Ministers Decision No. (6) of 2019 concerning the slaughterhouse system, particularly enforcing the use of the official stamp on meat to indicate the source and age of the livestock, a measure that is currently not properly implemented and affects product safety and consumer awareness. It also recommended identifying the responsible entity or individual for oversight on the stamping process, and developing the system to include additional information on the stamp such as the animal’s age, origin and place and date of slaughter, to ensure a minimum level of transparency and health reliability. AMAN suggested adding legal provisions to address potential conflicts of interest in the slaughterhouse sector to reduce the risk of fraud and build public trust in local products. It also recommended regular inspections of slaughterhouses operating in rural areas and Area C in the West Bank to ensure they comply with official standards in slaughtering and marketing processes, including stamping both imported and local meat, as well as meat designated under the quota system. Moreover, it stressed the importance of following up on the agreement between the Ministry of Economy and importers, which requires every trader importing sheep to supply an equivalent quantity from the local market. The Ministry of National Economy should assign codes to imported goods under the quota system to ensure traceability, control their distribution, prevent manipulation, and guarantee that end consumers benefit from the exemptions.
Regarding food and economic security, AMAN recommended expediting the development of an executive action plan within the national food security strategy, aimed at strengthening citizens’ steadfastness and achieving food security, especially amid current economic and political challenges. It also called for reallocating some personnel from the security sector to support the Customs Police, to enhance field control at border crossings and alleviate smuggling that harms the national economy, in addition to the need to reassess public policies for managing the quota system to ensure social justice, protect the groups most affected by rising prices, and improve citizens’ purchasing power. AMAN urged relevant ministries (Agriculture, Economy, Health) to coordinate regularly in determining the prices of essential goods, particularly during high-demand seasons such as Eid al-Adha, and to establish a unified government mechanism to regulate the market and combat price manipulation. It also called for activating the legally mandated National Consumer Protection Council, which continues to be inactive, because of its critical role in market control and defending consumer rights.
In terms of the relations with the Israeli side, AMAN recommended lobbying to reactivate the Joint Economic Committee with Israel, whose suspension has led to the failure to update the commodity lists proportionately with population growth and increasing economic needs. It also urged applying pressure on the Israeli side to allow Palestine full access to its quota share, since the allocated quantities are sufficient based on current population density indicators, however restricting their entry has led to rising meat prices in the markets.
The Coalition concluded its letter by emphasizing that reforming this issue requires high-level political will and direct follow-up from the Prime Minister’s Office, because of its profound impact on food security, social justice, and citizens’ trust in public institutions.
