Members of the Lebanese military intelligence on Tuesday were called into a supermarket in the coastal city of Sidon when a shopper found peppers produced in Israel on the store’s shelves.
The man, who remained anonymous in a report by the Daily Star Lebanon, contacted local authorities, who then contacted the Lebanese army, when he found the bag of mixed peppers sourced from Israel.
When military intelligence and police arrived to the supermarket, one of the largest retailers in the country, they reportedly discovered “13 similar bags that have the word ‘Israel’ printed on the sale tag,” the newspaper reported.
Police experts pointed out that the international bar code for the Israeli items was scratched with a pen and a new code was handwritten on the bag.
The Lebanese military judiciary is now investigating how the products passed through the customs department at the port or the airport.
Earlier this year, it was reported that Israeli products are reaching Lebanon via indirect routes, bearing the brand names of American and European firms.
Laws in the country, which have been on the books since 1955, stipulate that Lebanese citizens are categorically forbidden to enter into business agreements, direct or indirect, with Israeli suppliers, whether they are companies or individuals, who live in Israel or work for its benefit.
Also banned from Lebanon is any international company that has branches in or commercial agreements with Israel or Israeli companies.
How do you think the peppers got into Lebanon in the first place? Do you agree with laws forbidding Lebanese citizens from entering into business agreements with Israeli suppliers? Share your comments with us below!
