by David Israel, Jewish Press
The Co-op supermarket chain could stop selling Israeli products as early as this summer, following a member vote in favor of a boycott, The Telegraph reported on Saturday. Roughly 75% of the members supported a motion calling on the board to demonstrate “moral courage and leadership” by removing Israeli goods from store shelves.
In response, the Co-op leadership noted at its annual general meeting that the motion is only advisory, but confirmed that a review of its sourcing policy is under way.
The Co-op is a UK-based supermarket chain and the retail food arm of The Co-operative Group, one of the largest consumer co-operatives in the world. As the fifth largest food retailer in the UK, the Co-op operates nearly 2,400 stores and supplies products to over 6,000 additional outlets through its wholesale division, Nisa Retail Limited.
Owned by millions of UK consumers, the Co-op employs around 56,000 people and reports an annual turnover exceeding £11 billion. The organization is also widely recognized for its commitment to social responsibility and community initiatives.
UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI), a voluntary organization of legal professionals, responded to the Co-op group secretary’s announcement, saying the motion should be withdrawn by the Co-op Council and treated as invalid and disregarded.