Israel, Arab nations trade despite ban

[Behind the Aegis]

Staff members at a Riyadh hospital got a surprise when they looked at the fine print on the paper cups they were using.

Workers in a storeroom at a Dubai hospital were similarly shocked when they took a close look at the tags on a large shipment of uniforms, towels and sheets.

The labels said "Made in Israel," according to recent newspaper reports from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, both of which have laws that ban imports from the Jewish state.

Experts say the camouflaged trade - just a small portion of such imports that have received publicity - has been going on for years between Israel and its officially hostile Arab neighbors.

more...