What can I do? Economic Boycott.
The economic boycott of Israel is a strategy used to put pressure on Israel. The goal? Force Israel to comply with international law AND pressure companies to end all participation with and complicity in Israel’s crimes.
Speaking with your economic buying power–an age old tactic
International companies materially support Israel and its violations of international law. Whether by operating in illegal settlements, contracting with the Israeli military, or appropriating Palestinian land and resources. Israel and Israeli companies rely on international trade and investment. Without it, they risk complete collapse. That is why an economic boycott is powerful. Grassroots BDS campaigning has led to major companies and investors changing their attitudes towards Israel and its oppression of Palestinians.
BDS campaigning has had a serious impact on Israeli companies. Carmel Agrexco, Israel’s largest agricultural export company, entered liquidation after a huge boycott campaign against the company pushed Israeli farmers to export their products through other companies. SodaStream was forced to close its operations in an illegal Israeli settlement after BDS campaigning led to retailers taking its products off its shelves. SodaStream is still a boycott target over its role in ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in the Naqab (Negev). Campaigning has led to major companies selling up and leaving Israel altogether and a range of investors divesting from Israeli and international companies.
Major international bodies / experts, including the UN and World Bank said BDS has had an important economic impact on Israel.
Impact on Israeli companies of Consumer Boycott
Experts report growing economic impact of BDS: According to the authors of a UN report, BDS was a key factor behind at 46% drop in foreign direct investment into Israel in 2014 compared to 2013. The World Bank partially attributed a 24% drop in Palestinian imports from Israel to boycott. Reports by the Israeli government and the Rand Corporation have predicted that BDS could cost the Israeli economy billions of dollars.
Does the BDS movement call for a boycott of all Israeli products or just products and companies from illegal Israeli settlements?
We call for a boycott of all Israeli products. However, some of our biggest campaigns are against companies that operate in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and Syrian Golan. That being said, we encourage the boycott of all Israeli companies and products as there is no evidence any Israeli company is not, in some way, complicit in Israel’s occupation, apartheid, or genocide.
Identifying Israeli Products
A barcode starting with 729 usually indicates a product of Israel. But this is not always reliable. The best way to tell if a product is made in Israel is to look for a “Product of Israel” label or to ask the retailer if they can guarantee a product isn’t from Israel.
Consumer Boycott Action List
Israeli Fruit and Vegetables, including Dates
Fruit and vegetables are one of Israel’s biggest exports and all Israeli agricultural exporters are complicit in Israel’s violations of international law as they operate on stolen Palestinian land.
Wineries
As an example, over 100 products labelled “Product in Israel” are available through the LCBO in Ontario. Many of these have connections with illegal occupation of Syrian Golan or Palestinian territory.
Company Specific Boycotts
You can learn more about which companies to boycott through our other resources including:
Frequently Asked Questions
Besides boycotting Israeli goods, what else can I do?
The BDS movement is about much more than consumer boycotts: it is also about campaigning alongside others to pressure institutions, unions, companies, etc to boycott or divest and to isolate Israel in every sector. Learn more here.
Will more items be added?
Yes. More products and organizations will be added as research is completed, and new campaigns added through the the Canadian BDS Coalition, local organizations, or Member Groups and Affiliates.
What if I find a product, company or retailer that might be added to the list?
Please submit apartheid products (e.g., “Made in Israel” or “Product of Israel”) and/or complicit companies to us through one of our forms below. Have questions? Email info@bdscoalition.ca
Should I make direct contact with companies and/or retailers before taking an action?
It is always advisable to make contact with the companies and retailers. Best practices would be for local organizations and individuals to also make contact related to any boycott action or locally developed campaign.
Interested in being involved locally contact info@bdscoalition.ca