[Avodah] Arab produce

[Eli Turkel]

<<In the readers' reactions following the remarks, there was one
worthy of note.  Rav Aviner strongly makes the point that one should
not purchase from non-Jewish agriculture. ... The questioner
essentially asked why equal care was not given to this "issur" in
non-sh'mitta years as well.  And it isn't -- certain vegetables, such
as cucumbers, are almost all Arab produce.>>

First ROY paskens essentially the same as R. Aviner strongly defending
the heter mechira even for yeshiva students. He also mentions that one
should not buy produce from enemies.

As to cucumbers etc. this argument is frequently quoted but I have
never understood it. Firts of all much of it is from Israeli Arabs.
More important because one acts a certain way when there is no choice
doesnt mean that is appropriate behavior given a choice. Assuming that
all cucumbers come from Arabs in the Shomron does that justify buying
PA carrots when there is much Jewish carrots available?

and yes I know of stores in my hometown that try and buy only Jewish
produce all year around and not just Shemitta.

-- 
Eli Turkel