Israeli boycott motion passed by Dublin Food Co-Op

THE Dublin Food Co-Op has voted to boycott Israeli goods in solidarity with the people of Palestine.

Previous attempts over the past two years failed to reach consensus or when put to a vote failed to reach the required 75% quota needed. The vote, held just before Christmas, was 50 in favour of the boycott to 6 against.

While the Dublin Food Co-Op itself has an unwritten 'policy' not to stock or sell Israeli produce, some of the fruit and vegetable producer/sellers have sold Israeli produce much to the disquiet of many members. Until recently, inadequate labeling of products meant that members may not have known they were purchasing Israeli produce unless they were specifically asked.

The Co-Op does stock some Palestinian produce (as a gesture of positive discrimination) and it has attempted to bring the food labeling in line with EU Directives.

The boycott will remain in force until such time as the state of Israel agrees:

(a) To allow humanitarian-aid and unarmed peace activists entry into Palestine without the threat of violence and death from Israeli armed forces;

and

(b) Agrees to honour UN resolutions regarding the unlawful occupation of Palestine in the Israeli 'settlements'.

The boycott also includes Dublin Food Co-Op's artisan food producer members and organic farmers who occasionally sell at the co-op fruit and vegetables imported from Israel.