Lulav Shortage Crisis Shakes Jewish World

American legislators, are working diplomatic channels in an effort to stave off a looming lulav shortage ahead of Sukkot.
Their efforts follow a surprise move by Egypt, which - after years as the world`s primary supplier of the palm fronds that form the spine of the ritual lulav - said it no longer would provide the leaves to suppliers.
Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) has sent a letter to the Egyptian ambassador urging Egypt to ``consider the needs of Jewish communities around the world and allow for a sufficient number of these palm fronds to be exported this year.``
But Egyptian Agriculture said that palm-leaf exports had to be cut because removing the fronds damages the tree`s ability to produce fruit and thrive.