Pro-Palestinian campaigners have once again issued their yearly calls to avoid buying Israeli-sourced dates, as Muslims prepare for the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan. Here’s a guide to what to look out for when choosing this cherished Sunnah food…
Israeli produced dates have flooded Western markets in recent times, forcing Muslims to take extra care when trying not to violate the BDS boycott of Israel when shopping for the blessed Sunnah treat.
However, amid rising success of the anti-Israel boycott campaign, Israeli brands have taken measures to mislead or trick Muslim shoppers, making it more difficult to avoid purchasing Israeli products.
These may include brands using Arabic brand names, writing “Product of Palestine” on the label, or even using the Palestinian flag. Sometimes there is no labelling at all.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) is one of several pro-Palestine groups issuing advise to consumers on how best to avoid dodgy Israeli dates. The PSC website lists a serious of dos and don’t.
- Always check the label. Don’t buy dates that are produced or packaged in Israel or its illegal West Bank settlements. If no country of origin can be found on the box, check the retailer’s website.
- Check the box for the name of an Israeli agricultural exporter. One of the largest is Hadiklaim. It sells dates in supermarkets under these names: King Solomon, Jordan River, Jordan River Bio-Top, and MyJool. It also sells dates under supermarket own brands.
- Avoid these companies: Mehadrin, MTex, Galilee Export, Edom, Carmel Agrexco and Arava.
Activists warn that unless dates are from trusted Palestinian sources like Zaytoun or Yaffa, Muslims should exercise caution against buying them.
Other known date brands to avoid according to experts include: Tamara Barhi Dates, Rapunzel, Bomaja, desert Diamond, Shams and Delilah.
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Another red flag is that Israeli dates might be cheaper than Palestinian ones because the Israeli government subsidises these companies.
The UK is Israel’s second largest market for dates and most Medjool dates are from Israel. Moreover, almost all date boxes with no label are from Israel.
The PSC website explains in clear detail exactly why boycotting Israeli dates is so important.
“This Ramadan, don’t break your fast with an Israeli date. Stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
“Israel’s ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip has killed many tens of thousands, and caused incalculable devastation. Despite the so called ceasefire, Israel continues to kill Palestinians in Gaza. Across the West Bank, Israel is ramping up its military invasions and ethnic cleansing, part of its system of apartheid.
“Israeli dates are grown on land stolen from Palestinians. Buying them helps to sustain Israel’s land theft, military occupation and apartheid.”
The PSC website also provides an A6 size downloadable placard with all the relevant information which can be used to help spread the message further. The posters would make ideal signage in mosques or shop windows.
Check the label campaign
Friends of Al-Aqsa (FOA) have announced the relaunch of their Check The Label – boycott Israeli dates campaign.
The campaign was launched by FOA over 15 years ago to tackle the widespread presence of Israeli medjool dates that flooded the UK markets hoping to profit off of consumers who break their fasts with dates during the holy month.
FOA state on their website: “Boycotting Israeli dates in Ramadan is a concerted community effort that can show our power. It would be brilliant to see all Israeli dates still left on shelves across the UK and Europe at the end of the blessed month. This would reflect our strength as a community to stand together with a very important message: We will not support the oppression and genocide of Palestinians, and we will not be complicit in Israeli apartheid.”
Their website also lists the brands and their logos to make it easier for shoppers to identify the Israeli brands and the good-choice Palestinian options.
Israel is the world’s largest producer of Medjoul dates. Major UK supermarkets like ASDA, Tesco, Iceland and Waitrose all sell dates from apartheid Israel as well as local grocery store. The UK is the second-biggest importer of Israeli dates in Europe
