Just weeks before Israel celebrates the Succot holiday, Egypt announced it was barring the export of palm fronds to Israel and Jewish communities abroad. The Egyptian Agricultural Ministry said the ban would remain in effect until the end of the year. In the past, Israel has imported from Egypt some 700,000 palm fronds annually before the Succot holiday. Over two million are purchased in Jewish communities in the Diaspora including North America and Europe also from Egypt. In order to deal with the demand Israel's Agriculture Ministry said it would issue special permits allowing the import of palm fronds from Spain, Jordan and the Gaza Strip and will also encourage Israeli farmers to boost their supply.