Morrisons forced into climbdown over Israeli Goods
Rebel W | 13.11.2009 22:39 | Palestine
Around 40 protesters, facing off against a meagre 3 Zionists, successfully pressured Morrison's Head Office into accepting a delegation of campaign members, thought to be the first ever to succeed in securing a meeting with senior Morrison's managers over the Boycott Israeli Goods Campaign.
A well-natured demonstration in bitingly cold conditions held banners and placards denouncing the sale of goods that benefit what, if it weren't the West's pet government in the middle-east, might be called a "Rogue State".
Those inside the meeting report that Morrisons management acknowledged the need to check their supply chains for human rights violations amongst other things, and to continue the dialogue, far more encouraging than a "we give consumers choice" argument. This brings Morrison's to the same point in dialogue as Sainsburys and Tescos, but a long way off Co-op, who have begun removing products and sourcing Palestinian products in some stores.
A meeting is not, in itself, normally a success, but given just how difficult this one was to arrange, and the need to more-or-less declare all out war on Morrison's before it took place, this one might count.
There is plenty to build on in this campaign, and protesters vowed to return and to continue pressuring the North's "local" Supermarket until it removes all Israeli produce from its shelves. Other actions are planned as the national week of Supermarket Boycott Actions comes to a close, and further reports are awaited.
Those inside the meeting report that Morrisons management acknowledged the need to check their supply chains for human rights violations amongst other things, and to continue the dialogue, far more encouraging than a "we give consumers choice" argument. This brings Morrison's to the same point in dialogue as Sainsburys and Tescos, but a long way off Co-op, who have begun removing products and sourcing Palestinian products in some stores.
A meeting is not, in itself, normally a success, but given just how difficult this one was to arrange, and the need to more-or-less declare all out war on Morrison's before it took place, this one might count.
There is plenty to build on in this campaign, and protesters vowed to return and to continue pressuring the North's "local" Supermarket until it removes all Israeli produce from its shelves. Other actions are planned as the national week of Supermarket Boycott Actions comes to a close, and further reports are awaited.
Rebel W
Comments
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To clarify
14.11.2009 14:21
This is related to agricultural products only. Something that is often overlooked is the fact that there are lots of industrial settlements as well. Non-agricultural 'Israeli' products may contain composite elements that come from settlements. It is impossible to determine whether or not this is the case, as Israel does not distinguish between Israel and the occupied territories. According to the Israeli state, the West Bank is comprised of Judea and Samaria, which are part of Israel.
And did you know.... that the Soil Association certifies settlement produce as organic?
Clear stream
co op
15.11.2009 11:34
clarifier