UK’s Co-op Group Halts Imports from Israel Over Human Rights Violations

Watan-The UK-based Co-op Group, a major food retail company, announced on Tuesday that it will halt imports of products and ingredients from 17 countries, including Israel, citing “internationally recognized” human rights and international law violations.

The member-owned company, which operates more than 2,300 food stores across Britain, said it would stop selling Israeli carrots this month as part of a wider commitment to discontinue stocking Israeli goods.

The list of banned products, which also includes Russian vodka and mangoes from Mali, follows a board-led review on the company’s role in “peacebuilding.”

The decision comes amid a wave of European criticism over the mounting civilian toll of Israel’s war on Gaza, which began in October 2023.

Other countries on Co-op’s banned list include Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Libya, and Syria.

Debbie White, Chair of the Co-op Group Board, stated:“We listened to the voices of our members—and acted accordingly.”

She added:“As a company, we have a long-standing legacy of doing the right thing, supporting fair trade, and promoting ethical sourcing. This policy is a natural extension of those values.”

Tesco, the UK’s largest food retailer, does not import products from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. However, it and other major UK chains continue to import goods from Israel in line with government guidelines.

Last month, Ben & Jerry’s independent board described the war in Gaza as “genocide,” escalating tensions with parent company Unilever, which is based in London.