ABU DHABI Ñ A political power struggle has prompted the Saudi kingdom to scrutinize all imports to ensure none of them originated in Israel.
Saudi Finance Minister Ibrahim Al Assaf has ordered banks to ensure that
bills of lading meant for the kingdom did not pass through Israel. Al Assaf
warned that products found to have originated or shipped through Israel
would be confiscated and their owners would be severely punished.
Saudi officials said Riyad ordered the intensified inspections
along border crossings as well as sea and airports because the Saudi opposition has
been accusing the royal family of allowing indirect Israeli imports.
They said the Israeli imports have been originating from
other Western and Arab countries including Britain, Jordan and the
Netherlands.
The crackdown was announced amid Saudi reports that Israeli medicine has
been imported in the kingdom. The government has received information that
the Israeli products are being shipped from Europe or from the Jordanian
border.
Saudi Health Minister Osama Shubokshi has ordered an investigation into
accusations that a British exported medicine, Pyroxicam, is manufactured in
the Israeli city of Kfar Saba. Pyroxicam is meant to soothe strained joints
and muscles.
Officials said Saudi authorities have recently confiscated nine vehicles
of goods that originated from Israel. The shipment was seized on the
Saudi-Jordanian border.
At the same time, Saudi police and security agents searched shops in
several cities for Israeli products. Saudi newspapers said authorities
confiscated watches with an Israeli emblem as well as Israeli perfume.
