Co-op shuns suppliers with links to Israeli settlements
The Co-operative Group is to extend a boycott of goods from illegal Israeli settlements and has said it will cease trading with suppliers who source goods from these areas.
The UK’s fifth largest food retailer said it would “no longer do business with” four companies, accounting for £350,000 worth of sales, as there was evidence that they sourced from the settlements in Palestinian occupied territories.
The Co-op, which has not bought produce from the settlements since 2009, said the move did not constitute a boycott of Israel or Israeli products. It currently has supply agreements with around 20 Israeli businesses that do not source produce from the settlements.
The retailer said in a statement: “This extension of our policy covers engagement with any produce suppliers known to be sourcing from the Israeli settlements, where there is broad international consensus that the settlements are illegal.”
Never Miss a Retail Update!“The group will also continue to actively work to increase trade links with Palestinian businesses in the occupied territories,” it added.
