The Moroccan BDS movement urges consumers to boycott Israeli Medjool dates during Ramadan due to their association with unethical practices in occupied territories. BDS warns that these products may be disguised under various labels to evade boycotts and promotes support for local brands. The movement also targets multinational companies that have ties with Israeli settlements, fostering a broader awareness of ethical consumption during Ramadan.
As Ramadan commences, the Moroccan branch of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement has issued a call for consumers to exclude Israeli products, particularly Medjool dates, from their Iftar tables. The activists emphasize the need for vigilance against ‘genocide-linked products’, cautioning that Israeli dates may be deceptively packaged under various labels to bypass boycott efforts.
BDS activists urged consumers to be wary of exporters who repackage products under Palestinian-Jordanian brands or local Moroccan labels, stating, “We warn that some exporters of Zionist dates package them under Palestinian-Jordanian brands… Avoid any suspicious or unknown brands”. Notably, the movement observed a lack of explicitly branded Israeli dates in the Moroccan markets this year, attributing this shift to prior awareness efforts.
Israel is a significant global producer of dates, specifically the Medjool variety, commonly consumed during Ramadan. Nevertheless, approximately 40 percent of these dates are sourced from farms in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Solidarity Campaign notes the harsh working conditions faced by Palestinian laborers, including children, who harvest dates in extreme conditions.
Activists argue that Israeli date farms not only exploit labor but also contribute to the displacement of Palestinians, as settlement plantations divert essential water resources, exacerbating shortages for local communities. Demonstrating resilience against boycotts, Israeli date producers reportedly modified product labels to disguise the origins of their goods.
In response to these actions, BDS has encouraged Moroccan consumers to support local businesses known for their ethical sourcing. The movement regards the boycott of Israeli dates as both a political and religious statement, reflecting the importance of such products during Ramadan.
The BDS movement’s efforts have extended beyond dates to multinational chains that exploit Ramadan for profit. Activists have targeted companies like Carrefour for their partnerships with Israeli firms involved in settlements, noting their withdrawal from Jordan and Oman due to sustained boycotts. In Morocco, the franchisee LabelVie operates over 70 in-store locations and faces pressure to end ties with Carrefour.
Additionally, McDonald’s, under scrutiny for its ties with Israel following its franchise’s provision of free meals to soldiers, has been included in sustained boycott campaigns. BDS Morocco calls for continued consumer pressure to hold accountable companies that they believe support the conflict. The organization asserts, “Let’s boycott all complicit companies that remained silent when their branches… in the occupying state supported genocide.”
In conclusion, the BDS movement in Morocco is fervently advocating for the boycott of Israeli products, particularly dates, during Ramadan. Their campaign emphasizes ethical consumerism and the avoidance of companies that exploit labor or support Israeli settlements. Amidst rising awareness and activism, the movement seeks to prompt significant changes in consumer behavior during this significant period. Additionally, BDS extends its boycott efforts to multinational chains, urging solidarity against businesses that support controversial practices.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
