Kuwait bans entry of ships carrying goods from Israel

Kuwait issued an order banning the entry of commercial vessels loaded with goods to and from Israel into Kuwaiti territorial waters on Saturday, according to Kuwaiti newspaper Al Anba.

The Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, Rana Al-Faris, announced the ban yesterday.

The Gulf state's daily newspaper Al-Anba reported today that "The ban includes all ships coming from other ports to unload part of their cargo in Kuwaiti ports whenever they are carrying any of the goods stipulated in the ban, with the intention of shipping them to and from… Israel"

Under Kuwaiti law, individuals and companies cannot conclude agreements with organizations or persons living in Israel and cannot deal financially or commercially with persons who have an interest in Israel, even if they live outside Israel. It is also illegal to import, exchange or possess any Israeli goods, commodities or products, whether received directly or indirectly. Products also cannot include any material from Israeli products.

In May, the Kuwaiti parliament passed a bill that would restrict any form of contact with Israel. Any expressions of sympathy with Israel would also be outlawed.

Earlier, Kuwait’s Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations Talal Al-Fassam reiterated Kuwait's support for the Palestinians and condemned a recent visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog to the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron, saying it provoked the sentiments of Muslims worldwide, the Palestinian WAFA news agency reported.