Boycotting Israeli Products in Muslim Nations

In recent years, a significant shift in consumer behavior has emerged across Muslim-majority nations, particularly visible from Amman to Riyadh. What began as scattered individual choices has snowballed into a coordinated economic stance, with shoppers increasingly scrutinizing product origins and corporate affiliations. Boycotting Israel-linked goods has become more than just a purchasing habit – it’s transformed into mass political expression. Iconic American chains like McDonald’s, Starbucks, and KFC have found themselves at the center of this grassroots economic resistance, their golden arches and mermaid logos now paradoxically symbolizing conflict rather than comfort food. The movement continues to gain strength daily, fueled by social media campaigns and community solidarity, as ordinary people use their purchasing power as political speech against the Gaza conflict while standing with Palestinian aspirations.

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We’ll talk about the BDS Movement and how it affects Israel’s economy. Just looks at how to spot Israeli goods and talk about the legal issues that come up when people boycott. We’ll also talk about boycotting tactics that work and offer alternatives to Israeli goods. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to take part in this type of protest and pick items that are good for the environment. This article will give you the tools you need to deal with this complicated topic, whether you’re new to it or just want to improve how you’re doing things.

Understanding the BDS Movement

Origins of BDS Regarding Boycotting Israel

In the early 2000s, this led to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. It started after a meeting in 2001 at the World Conference Against Racism, Durban I, in South Africa where Palestinian activists met with anti-apartheid veterans. They were convinced that what Israel was doing to the Palestinians rivaled the oppression of black South Africans under apartheid. Therefore, they recommended using what was formerly used to defeat apartheid.

A little over a year later, in March 2002, the midst of so much conflict was a time when some significant Palestinian scholars requested assistance from people across the globe. The Israelis also knew they provided a handy punchbag for Israeli activists who sought to persuade their governments to sever business with Israel in the name of ending apartheid, occupation, and ethnic cleansing.

This was followed in April 2002 by a call from two academics, Steven and Hilary Rose, for a moratorium on co-operation with Israeli fellow universities. More than 700 other academics signed up in support within days, vowing not to “engage in research and other activities” with Israeli institutions.

Goals and Objectives

The BDS movement has three main demands that it considers non-negotiable:

1. Ending Israel’s occupation and colonization of Arab lands occupied in 1967 and dismantling the Wall
2. Recognizing the fundamental rights of Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality
3. Respecting, protecting, and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN Resolution 194

We see BDS as a movement for all Palestinians, whether they live in the diaspora or in historical Palestine. It frames the Israel-Palestinian conflict as one between colonizer and colonized, oppressor and oppressed, rejecting the idea that both parties are equally responsible for the conflict.

The movement uses the framework of “freedom, justice, and equality,” arguing that Palestinians are entitled to these rights like everyone else. It positions itself as an antiracist movement, rejecting all forms of racism, including antisemitism and Islamophobia.

Global Impact

Since it began 18 years ago, the BDS movement has worked hard to build a worldwide network of people who support Palestinian rights. With the help of foreign unions, syndicates, civil society institutions, popular movements, and other groups speaking for tens of millions of people, this has been done.

The movement has had a big effect on isolating the Israeli government. Big international companies like G4S, Veolia, Orange, HP, and PUMA have had to stop doing some of the things that BDS calls “crimes against the Palestinian people.”

War In Ghaza

When the war in Gaza started in October 2023, the Palestinian National Committee for the Boycott of Israel asked more people to support Gaza at all public events and rallies. They also pushed for more people to join the call for an instant end to the fighting, the lifting of the blockade, the sending of emergency aid to Gaza, and the punishment of those responsible for the ongoing conflict.

More and more people around the world are joining global solidarity organizations, with the BDS movement being the most important of these. This is clear both at the local level and in the way the state runs its affairs. South Africa’s case against Israel for murder in the International Court of Justice was a big event. The court said on January 26, 2024, that it makes sense to think of Israel’s acts against Gaza as genocide.

In February 2024, UN human rights experts made a statement about how bad things were and asked all states to do what the law says they should. Some of these were stopping all “arms exports to Israel” right away and putting “sanctions on trade, finance, travel, technology, and cooperation.” The BDS movement has been pushing for these demands for a long time by getting a lot of people to back them.

Identifying Israeli Products

Common Israeli brands

When it comes to boycotting Israeli products, we need to be aware of the brands and companies that are complicit in supporting Israel’s actions. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most prominent targets for boycotts:

• Puma: This sportswear brand has come under fire for sponsoring the Israel Football Association (IFA). The IFA includes teams from Israeli settlements in occupied territories, which is considered illegal under international law.
• Zara: In 2022, Zara’s franchise holder in Israel hosted an event for a far-right politician, sparking public outrage and calls for boycotts.
• Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia: These online travel platforms offer listings for accommodations in illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian and Syrian land.
• Caterpillar: This company’s D9 bulldozers have been used in the demolition of Palestinian homes in occupied territories.
• G4S (now G1 Secure Solutions): This security company has provided services to businesses in West Bank settlements.

Decoding barcodes

One way we can identify Israeli products is by looking at their barcodes. However, it’s important to note that this method isn’t foolproof. Here’s what we need to know:

• The barcode prefix 729 is indeed issued to companies registered in Israel.
• However, this doesn’t necessarily mean the product was manufactured in Israel. The GS1, the organization that provides these numbers, explicitly states that the prefix doesn’t indicate the country of manufacture.
• The prefix only shows the country from which the barcode was allocated.
• Contrary to some claims, barcodes starting with 841 and 871 are not Israeli. These are allocated to Spain and the Netherlands, respectively.

It’s crucial to remember that while the 729 prefix can be a helpful indicator, it’s not definitive proof of Israeli origin. We need to be cautious and use this information in conjunction with other methods of identification.

Hidden Israeli connections

Identifying Israeli products isn’t always straightforward. Many Israeli companies operate covertly in various markets, especially in countries where there are no official diplomatic relations. Here’s what we’ve found:

1. Technology plays a significant role in Israel’s economy, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP and around 50% of its exports. This makes it crucial for us to be informed when purchasing products like computers, smartphones, and kitchen appliances.
2. Some Israeli companies use local and regional distributors to market their products in broadly defined territories. This can make it challenging to trace the origin of certain products.
3. Trade with countries like Indonesia often happens covertly and at a low profile. Singapore, for instance, serves as a base for Israeli businesspeople trying to enter the Indonesian market.
4. In some cases, Israeli companies provide equipment to U.S. forces stationed in countries like Saudi Arabia, which can inflate trade statistics with intermediary countries like Turkey.
5. Interestingly, some Gulf states rely on sophisticated Israeli technology for security purposes, despite the lack of official relations.

To effectively boycott Israeli products, we must stay informed about these hidden connections and thoroughly research the companies we buy from. It’s not just about avoiding products with the 729 barcode prefix, but also understanding the complex web of international trade and corporate relationships that can obscure a product’s true origin.

Various products should be banned in Pakistan and, many more products have been banned In Kuwait.

Legal Considerations

When we consider boycotting Israeli products, it’s crucial to understand the legal landscape surrounding such actions. We need to be aware of the laws regarding boycotts, potential consequences, and how to navigate legal challenges.

Laws regarding boycotts

It is hard to boycott Israel because many countries have rules that make it punishable. Since the late 1970s, it has been illegal in the US to boycott. According to the Export Administration Act of 1979, Americans cannot join boycotts that other countries place on US allies. This rule was first made to fight back against the Arab League’s choice to reject Israel.

Many state laws have been passed recently that target the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Along with executive decisions, 38 states have made it harder for people to boycott Israel as of 2024. All of these rules fall into two main groups:

Contractors working for the government have to say they won’t boycott Israel because of rules that apply to contracts.

there are rules about investments that say state investment funds must keep businesses from leaving Israel.

Don’t forget that a lot of these rules don’t just affect Israel. In occupied areas, they also apply to Israeli communities.

Potential consequences

When a lot of people resist, big things can happen. Folks and companies that do business with state governments could lose deals or be unable to get future chances if they break the rules against BDS. Businesses in some states that support BDS are put on “blacklists,” which means they can’t get work from the government.

In the worst situations, a proposed federal rule says that backing BDS should be against the law. If you backed a bill from 2017 that was pushed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, you could have gone to prison for up to 20 years. This bill did not pass, but it shows how bad the effects that are being thought about could be.

The situation could also cost money. Some states have taken their money out of businesses that back BDS, just like they did with Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s. When people avoid a business, that business might lose a lot of money.

Navigating legal challenges

Some things you can do to officially back a boycott:

Laws are always changing, and each state has its own set of rules. There needs to be a constant flow of new laws in our area.

Learn about the law. Several rules that try to stop BDS only apply to people who work for the government or spend money that the government has made. Even if we don’t belong to these groups, the rules might still affect us.

Consider the problems that might come up: The court has thrown out or restricted a number of laws that are against BDS. Most of the opposition to these rules has come from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other groups that say they violate the First Amendment.

Consult a lawyer: One good idea is to talk to a lawyer who specializes in this area if we’re not sure what a boycott will do.

Believe in the impact on different nations. For example, Israel has its own rules about what people can and can’t do when they are boycotted. Israeli law, for instance, says that people who publicly call for boycotts of any kind, even settlements, can be sued.

And as we try to make sense of the law, it’s important to understand that it’s always changing. As courts rule, new laws are made, and political situations change, boycotts may no longer be allowed in some situations. When it comes to free speech, boycotting is usually okay. But because of the rules about boycotting Israel, it’s very different and tricky, so it needs to be carefully thought out.

Effective Boycotting Strategies

Individual actions

You can take a strong political and moral stand by boycotting companies, especially if you feel like you don’t have a voice. Our views can be heard if we choose not to buy certain brands. As part of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which is against Israel because of how it treats Palestinians, we are told to stop buying and using Israeli goods and services, pull our money out of Israeli companies, and demand that the Israeli government be sanctioned.

One effective strategy is to stay informed about which companies to boycott. Organizations like BuycottIsrael, founded in 2014 https://wanaen.com/iran-has-joined-muslim-nations-in-boycotting-israeli-products/ by activists in the United States, use social media and online platforms to raise awareness and promote boycott campaigns targeting specific companies with alleged ties to Israel. We must check official BDS sources for accurate information, as there can be misinformation circulating about boycotts.

We can take small but impactful actions in our daily lives. For instance, one supporter explained, “I think for me to take the small action of not buying a coffee at a certain chain, it’s very easy to take small actions to make sure that there’s less money being directed towards violence” . This shows how even minor changes in our consumption habits can contribute to the larger movement.

Community organizing

It is very important for community gatherings to make boycotts more effective. Things like mosques, universities, public squares, and traditional media sources have been shown to help get people behind a cause. Believers affect the choices college students make about what to buy. The targeted boycotts of places like McDonald’s and Starbucks are being taken very seriously, as one person in the community said: “That is amazing to hear that we don’t buy from these places.”

It would help if people shared neighborhood boycott lists so that they could work better. For instance, in Colombia, people are using social media to share a specific list of companies to avoid buying in order to help them make decisions. We can make smart choices about which businesses in our communities to support or avoid with this type of localized method.

But keep in mind that customer boycotts only work if they’re big, the market being boycotted is very important to the company’s bottom line, and the company responds in a satisfactory way. Professor of Middle East Politics at Kennesaw State University Maia Carter Hallward says, “It’s not just one person’s decision to boycott that makes a difference; it’s public action with a clear message about what people are doing and why it matters.”

Using social media

Social media has become a powerful way to get people across national borders to support boycotts and share information about them. You may have seen terms like “#BoycottMcDonalds” and “#boycottstarbucks” go viral on sites like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok. Around the middle of October, “#BoycottMcDonalds” got a lot of attention on X. Similarly, “#boycottstarbucks” reached its peak in early November and has stayed popular. In just 30 days, 7,000 TikTok videos in the US received a total of 51 million views.

These sites let us talk about boycotts and explain why people are doing them. People have been protesting outside of McDonald’s restaurants in Lebanon and Turkey, as well as inside one in Melbourne, Australia, as seen in videos that went viral. A barista shared how to make some of Starbucks’ most popular drinks on TikTok, and the video got 9.3 million views, making it one of the most-watched videos against the chain.

We can also put pressure on artists and famous people not to visit Israel through social media. This plan has worked before, when artists like Sam Smith, Elvis Costello, Lauryn Hill, and Lana Del Rey canceled or pushed back shows in Israel because of BDS opposition.

As we keep using these tactics, it’s important to remember that boycotts work best when they are paired with educational efforts and clear messaging about our goals. We can use our purchasing power to make a difference and push for change if we work together and stay informed.

Alternatives to Israeli Products

Local substitutes

It’s becoming more common to promote local names as alternatives to Israeli goods. People and marketers in places like Egypt and Jordan are turning their attention to helping local businesses. Not only does this change show support for the Palestinians, but it also helps local businesses.

In Egypt, for example, the Egyptian soft drink company Spiro Spathis has become a popular alternative to well-known names like Pepsi and Coca-Cola. The ads have changed a lot because of this, especially during Ramadan. The CEO of a marketing firm in Egypt said, “We don’t see ads for international brands like Coca-Cola. Instead, we see more ads for local products to support the local economy and boycott Israel.”

Similarly, in Jordan, marketing firms there are actively supporting the goals of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign. “In Jordan, we are carrying out a huge boycotting campaign, and we are the greatest,” said Ahmad Mahmoud, CEO of Humanize Digital Group.

Ethical alternatives

When looking for alternatives to boycotted brands, we can turn to more ethical options. Organizations like Ethical Consumer provide recommendations based on their research of various sectors. These alternatives often perform better on issues such as climate change, workers’ rights, animal rights, tax conduct, and executive pay.

Here are some general guidelines for finding ethical alternatives:

• Consider secondhand or refurbished options as top recommendations.
• Support local independent businesses, which are often more ethical choices.
• Look for companies that respect Palestinian human rights and are better for workers, the planet, and animals.

For specific product categories, we can find alternatives such as:

• Restaurants: Burger Lab, Johnny and Jugnu, Smash Burger, Howdy, BRGR, Sweet Creme, Daily Deli, OPTP
• Cosmetics: J., Luscious Cosmetics, Musarrat Misbah, Rivaj
• Beverages: Gourmet Cola, Gourmet Lemon Up, Pakola, Next Cola
• Ice Cream: HICO, Lush Crush, Popbar, Popcycle, Jalal Sons Icecream, Kitchen Cuisine Icecream

Supporting Palestinian businesses

Helping Palestinian businesses is one of the most powerful ways to help their cause. In addition to helping people avoid buying Israeli goods, this method also helps the Palestinian economy.

People who lost their jobs because of the ban have been hired by small businesses and companies in Jordan. These examples show how important it is for local companies to help the community through tough times.

We can: When looking for Palestinian goods or companies to buy from,

Locate businesses that are run by Palestinians or that directly help Palestinian communities.

Products that say “Made in Palestine” or that support Palestinian rights should be your first choice.

Help out groups that make it easier for businesses to trade with Palestinians or that promote Palestinian goods around the world.

By choosing these alternatives, we’re not only staying away from goods that might help support Palestinian human rights abuses but also actively supporting locally and ethically made choices. People’s choices can have a big effect on spreading justice and helping communities that have been through conflict.

Final Words

In Muslim countries, not buying Israeli goods has become a strong way to protest, and it has a big effect on how people act and what businesses decide to do. This guide has taught you about the BDS movement, how to find Israeli products, legal issues, and good ways to boycott. Also, it has shown how important it is to find moral alternatives and help Palestinian businesses if you want to make a real change.

In conclusion, choosing to boycott is a personal choice that needs to be carefully thought through and the possible outcomes should be known. As consumers, we can use our power to push for change by staying educated, getting together in our communities, and using social media. As we go forward, it’s important to remember that boycotts work best when they are paired with efforts to teach people about our goals and make them clear.

FAQs

Which brands are being boycotted in Muslim-majority countries?

Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are facing boycotts in Muslim-majority countries due to their perceived connections with the Gaza conflict. Local brands such as Pakistan’s Cola Next and Egypt’s V7 are becoming more popular as alternatives. Despite these challenges, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo continue to see these regions as valuable markets for potential growth.

How many countries currently enforce a boycott of Israel?

Syria, Lebanon, and Iran are the primary countries that actively enforce a boycott against Israel.

Which fast food chains are included in the boycotts against Israel?

Several fast food chains are targeted for boycotts due to their ties with Israel and support for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Notable chains include McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, and Starbucks.

Are there any boycotts of Israeli products by Muslim shopkeepers in India?

Yes, Muslim shopkeepers in India are actively boycotting Israeli and US products to show solidarity with Palestine. This initiative has sparked a movement within their local communities.