Subtitled, "UK's largest mutual takes lead among European supermarkets" Tracy McVeigh and Harriet Sherwood writing for the Guardian, break the news that:
The Co-operative Group has become the first major European supermarket group to end trade with companies that export produce from illegal Israeli settlements.
The UK's fifth biggest food retailer and its largest mutual business, the Co-op took the step as an extension of its existing policy which had been not to source produce from illegal settlements that have been built onPalestinian territories in the West bank.
Now the retail and insurance giant has taken it one step further by "no longer engaging with any supplier of produce known to be sourcing from the Israeli settlements".
The decision will hit four companies and contracts worth some £350,000. But the Co-op stresses this is not an Israeli boycott and that its contracts will go to other companies inside Israel that can guarantee they don't export from illegal settlements.A very good reason to shop at the COOP. Read the rest of this Guardian article here
The Palestinian Ambassador to the Uk has issued this press release:
Co-operative Corporate Group cuts ties with Israeli Colonies
"I congratulate the Co-operative Group on its divestment decision. Modern, open and ethical business and investing in Israel cannot dance Tango. Colonialism is part of history and doing business with an occupying state is unsuitable for the 21st century" says Ambassador Hassassian.
The Co-operative Group has become the first major European supermarket group to end trade with companies that export produce from illegal Israeli colonies. The UK's fifth biggest food retailer and its largest mutual business, the Co-op took the step as an extension of its existing policy which had been not to source produce from colonies. Now the group has taken it one step further by "no longer engaging with any supplier of produce known to be sourcing from the Israeli settlements". The Co-op's decision will immediately affect four suppliers, Agrexco, Arava Export Growers, Adafresh and Mehadrin, Israel's largest agricultural export company. These companies are benefitting from Israeli occupation and its systematic policies, such as annexing land, exploiting occupied natural resources and importantly being an obstacle to the two-state solution.
Colonies are illegal under international law. In the face of the failure of the international legal system, it is corporations and consumers that must take an ethical stance. The divestment by the Co-operative Group from Israeli colony produce is the right step both legally and ethically.
"Eating the fruit from colonies must trigger corporate criminal responsibility. In a few years time we will see more companies divesting from Israel to avoid charges of benefitting of Israel's occupation policies." says Ambassador Hassassian.
Ambassador Manuel Hassassian
5 Galena Road
Hammersmith
W6 0LT
