WEB DESK: The campaign to boycott Israeli dates has intensified across the Muslim world with the arrival of the holy month of Ramazan.
Reports indicate that Israeli date sales have significantly declined for the second consecutive year, especially in Arab and Islamic countries.
Dates hold deep religious and cultural significance for Muslims, as many break their fast with dates and water, following the Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) tradition. Due to high demand during Ramazan, Israeli companies flood global markets with their produce.
According to Arab media, the global date market produces around eight million tons annually, with Israel contributing approximately 40,000 tons. Nearly 80 per cent of Israeli date exports are al-Medjool dates, primarily grown in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. The al-Ghorn settlement alone produces 30,000 tons annually, making up 75 per cent of Israel’s total date production.
Pro-Palestinian groups are urging Muslims to be cautious when buying dates during Ramazan. Activists warn that Israeli dates enter markets worldwide, particularly during the holy month. They emphasize the importance of checking barcodes and packaging details before purchasing.
Ahead of Ramazan, Malaysia’s national news agency reminded citizens via social media to avoid boycotted goods, specifically mentioning dates from Israel, the West Bank, and the Jordan Valley. This has fueled a surge in social media campaigns in Malaysia, warning against unknowingly purchasing Israeli-sourced dates and promoting a broader boycott of Israeli-linked products.
HOW TO IDENTIFY ISRAELI DATES
Activists advise consumers to check the barcode on date packages. Products with barcodes starting with 729 indicate Israeli origin.
Israeli media reports suggest that exporters are attempting to rebrand their products to continue sales in Arab and Muslim markets. However, boycott activists have exposed these efforts.
The boycott movement has gained traction, particularly amid Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, which has killed over 30,000 people since October 2023.
EUROPE: A KEY MARKET FOR ISRAELI DATES
Around 50 per cent of Israeli dates are exported to Europe. The UK, Netherlands, France, Spain, and Italy import large quantities of the dried fruit.
The UK is the second-largest importer of Israeli dates in Europe. In 2020, it imported more than 3,000 tons of Israeli dates, valued at approximately £7.5 million ($9.6 million), according to statistics released by Friends of Al-Aqsa (FOA).
For over 14 years, FOA has led the #CheckTheLabel boycott campaign to raise awareness among consumers unknowingly buying Israeli dates. As part of the initiative, the group has encouraged imams to discuss the boycott in mosque sermons during Ramazan.
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