Egypt’s Palm Frond Cold War Against Succos
September 20, 2011
On the first day [of Succos] you shall take the product of hadar [citron] trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy [myrtle] trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. [NJPS, Leviticus 23:40]
As relations between Israel and Egypt continue to rapidly deteriorate, now we have news that Egypt has banned the export of palm fronds used as part of Jewish ritual during the holiday of Succos. (See CNN story here and Ha’aretz story here)
According to Ha’aretz, Egyptian palm fronds normally form 40% of the Israeli local supply during the holiday.
(Note that this has happened before – in 2005 – at that time, Ha’aretz reported that Egyptian palm fronds formed 70% of the Israeli local supply.)
BLT 
When it becomes a government issue where you get things for a celebration, it shows the people are going from ordinary life and needs, trading to meet needs to a war of beliefs and ideas with milatery might behind.
To believe the arab revolution was anything other than throwing off one dictator to adopt a even worse perspective on life is just getting worse.
I read a few weeks ago of the idea of Egyptian young people should walk into the Jerusalem and occupy the temple mount. These are normally the statements of the extremists and insane, unfortunately a government is starting to act and listen to them!!!!