This is in protest against the continued repression of the Palestinians by the Israeli military and government, which is preventing supplies reaching Palestinian areas so that they can rebuild destroyed homes, hospitals and schools, and treat the sick. An aid convoy from Britain which arrived in Gaza this month, after crossing from Italy and driving across North Africa, was allowed to take in food, clothing and medical supplies but was prevented from taking anything that could be used as building materials.

Tesco is the biggest supermarket to stock Israeli produce, which includes Carmel fruit and vegetables, and products labelled as produced in the "West Bank".

However, it seems that UK consumers are showing an increased interest in buying Palestinian products to show their solidarity with the people of Gaza. In particular, some Asian grocers around the Manchester area have noticed increased sales of fairly traded Palestinian olive oil, when they stock it.

For anyone who wants to show solidarity in this way, News From Nowhere bookshop on Bold Street has Palestinian soaps and crafts on sale. Companies that import Palestinian fair trade products are Zaytoun and the Olive Cooperative. You can check the availability of their products, (including but not limited to olive oil) via  http://www.zaytoun.org/, Zaytoun CC, 33 Carronade Court, Eden Grove, London N7 8EP, and

 http://www.olivecoop.com/, Olive Cooperative, Bridge 5 Mill, 22a Beswick Street, Manchester M4 7HR. 0161 273 1970.