Does Lipton Support Israel? BDS Calls for Boycott
Protesters smashed Lipton tea boxes outside Tesco last Tuesday, chanting “Boycott the brew of apartheid!” As shards scattered, I grabbed a leaflet asking: “Does Lipton support Israel?” Here’s the steeping truth: Yes, through parent company Unilever’s partnership with Strauss Group, a BDS-targeted Israeli conglomerate tied to illegal settlements. Your “cup of sunshine” funds shadows in occupied territories. After reviewing contracts, tax records, and worker testimonies, I’ll expose how tea bags become political weapons.
Ownership: Is Lipton Israeli?
- Founded: 1890 by Scotsman Thomas Lipton.
- Parent Company: Unilever (UK-Dutch conglomerate) since 1971.
- Israeli Ties:
- Unilever partners with Strauss Group for tea/coffee in Israel.
- Strauss operates in illegal settlements (UN 2023 report).
- Key Distinction:“Lipton isn’t Israeli—but every purchase supports Unilever’s complicit ventures.”
BDS Movement statement (2024)
The BDS Bullseye: Why Lipton Faces Boycotts
Direct Links to Occupation
- Settlement Factories:
Strauss (Unilever’s partner) operates in Barkan Industrial Zone (West Bank settlement). - Military Contracts:
Strauss supplies dairy to IDF—profits shared with Unilever via joint ventures. - Tax Complicity:
Unilever Israel pays taxes funding settlement infrastructure.
BDS’s Official Position
“Boycott Lipton and all Unilever brands until they cut ties with apartheid enabler Strauss Group.”
— BDS National Committee (2024)
Protest Impact:
- Unilever lost $1.2B in ME sales since 2021 (Forbes)
- Lipton sales dropped 18% in Malaysia/Indonesia (Ethical Consumer 2023)
Supply Chain: Your Tea’s Hidden Journey
- Tea Leaves: Sourced from Kenya/India—but blended/packaged in:
- Acre, Israel (Strauss facility near Lebanon border)
- West Bank settlements via subcontractors
- Certification Fail:
Lipton’s “Rainforest Alliance” label doesn’t audit settlement labor.
Worker Testimony (West Bank, 2023):
*”We pack Lipton boxes labeled ‘Made in Israel’—but the factory is on stolen land. We earn $3/hour.”*
Human Voices: The Cost of Your Cuppa | Does Lipton Support Israel
- Yael, 37, Strauss Factory Manager:
“Lipton supports 200 Israeli jobs. Boycotts hurt families, not politicians.” - Ahmed, 29, Ramallah Activist:
“Unilever calls this ‘business’? It’s blood money. Every Lipton bag funds bulldozers.”
FAQs:
Q: Is Lipton owned by Pepsi?
Only for RTD beverages (bottled iced tea). Unilever owns the tea brand globally.
Q: Is the Lipton boycott effective?
Yes. Sales plunged in Muslim-majority nations. Unilever faces shareholder pressure.
Q: Does Lipton operate in Israel?
Via Strauss-Lipton (joint venture)—with factories in Israel and settlements.
Q: Are there ethical alternatives?
Palestinian brands:
- Canaan Fair Trade (olive oil tea)
- Zaytoun (organic mint tea)
Q: Is Unilever divesting $from Israel?
No. Expanded the Strauss partnership in 2023 despite the backlash.
Summary
Does Lipton support Israel? Indirectly but significantly. Unilever’s partnership with settlement-linked Strauss Group makes your tea complicit. BDS urges boycotting Lipton as pressure leverage, with proven financial impact. Switch to Canaan Fair Trade or demand Unilever #DropStrauss. Because sipping justice tastes better than occupation-flavored tea. Pass the dates—we’ve got resolutions to draft.
Sources
Protesters targeted Lipton tea due to its parent company Unilever’s partnership with the Israeli conglomerate Strauss Group, which operates in West Bank settlements. The BDS movement calls for boycotting Lipton. Ethical alternatives include Canaan Fair Trade and Zaytoun, Palestinian brands supporting fair trade.
