26/6/2025–|Last update: 16:16 (Mecca time)
The boycott of Israeli agricultural products is growing throughout Europe – including Germany, which usually avoids the public boycott – as the Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot quoted Israeli farmers and exporters of Israeli food.
The “Co-Op” stores were in Italy The cowboys I decided to stop selling Israeli products, and according to the Israeli newspaper, negative reactions began to appear from major divisional merchants, such as the British Witros, Aladi German, and even in distant places as Kaliban.
“During the past two weeks, we have heard higher voices calling for a boycott in Germany, and this is new. 6 weeks ago, my best has done its best to avoid buying from us,” the newspaper quoted an Israeli potato source as saying.
Another farmer said, “We sell to packaging companies that in turn put trademarks on our products and distribute them to major stores. One of the German packaging workers told me: I love you, comrades, I need your products, I know Israeli farmers for years. But the buyer of the retail seller told me that it is difficult to put Israeli products on the shelves when the newspaper’s title is (genocideIt weighs our shoulders. I understand them. However, the Germans have committed to their purchasing tables so far. “
The newspaper quoted Ofer Levin, another agricultural exporter, “We have witnessed a major shift in feelings against us in Germany in recent weeks, driven by public opinion about the Gaza war. We are approaching the end of our sales season there, and we have indirectly informed us that my lift will not buy our products anymore. Officially, they say that the reason is the presence of fresh local products now, but with more research it becomes clear that the reason is political. I have decided. Stop selling Israeli goods on its shelves. “
Belgium, Sweden and Ireland
The Israeli newspaper quoted Levin as saying that the boycott began in Belgium, and the European Union regulations are obligated to put a sign that clarifies the country of origin on the shelves, which prompted consumers to reject Israeli products. However, small -packed small potatoes beyond the requirements for laying signs of the country of origin are still bought in large quantities. “This shows that it is a purely political.”
When asked whether other countries are joining the boycott, Levin said, “In Sweden, ICA did not buy Israeli products for almost 5 years. Norway no longer buys from Israel Absolutely. Since last year, the outlets have already been closed in front of our goods, and this trend has increased throughout Europe.
“The largest customer of our potatoes is Germany. They have already told me: If this situation continues until next year, we may not be able to start next season with you. This is Germany, one of the most supportive countries for Israel.”
Levin is exporting agricultural products for the German supermarket chain “Kovland”, which gives him an exclusive show space for two months annually, and told the newspaper, “I doubt that they will stop working in the middle of the season, but if the situation continues, they may easily decide to open the door for Egyptian products. It is not related to quality but to politics.”
He added, “In France, Lidel canceled my program because of the situation,” he added. France A small market for us, but political pressure is real. Public opinion is important. “
Japan
“We have heard a year ago that things are getting more complicated. It started secretly, but it has become more clear as news headlines related to Gaza continued,” said fruit exporter, which supplies avocado, citrus fruits and peppers, including the “Co-Op” branches in Western Europe.
He added, “Western, central and eastern Europe, including Russia. Eastern Europe is less influenced, and we are also exported to US And Canada And even Japan. “
He continued, “One of the Japanese customers told us that caution should be cautious about charging Israeli products there. The image of Israeli goods in Japanese society has become problematic.”
Yanif Yabulonca, CEO of Yabro Company-which issues about 50 thousand tons of potatoes annually to 11 European countries-said that Co-Op is the only series that publicly declares it, adding, “Most retailers tell packaging companies secretly: Do not bring us Israeli goods, we do not want problems or protests from the boycott movement. Just get them from Morocco or Egypt. But Co-AP is the only one to announce it. “
Yabro sells raw and non -washed products to those who are then cleaned and sorted and placed trademarks for stores.
“After the protective shield in the West Bank in 2004, we went to the Israeli embassy in London We caused a stir around the boycott, and Co-Op retreated. Today, they do not need us. They have alternatives. So it is easy for them to turn against us. “
How did the Co-Op County evolve?
The focus is renewed on the boycott after the British and Italian Co-OP declared to stop selling Israeli products, so that the Italian Co-Op has started marketing Gaza Cola, a soda drink bearing the Palestinian flag.
Although the war in Gaza is currently the main reason, Yabulaka explains that the boycott began in advance, saying, “I met the Norwegian Co-Op buyer on October 5, 2023. Within two weeks of October 7, they canceled our agreement. This is not new. It did not come suddenly.”
He added that Co-Op Switzerland stopped buying Israeli goods 5 or 6 years ago and “every time a Gaza operation is launched (the pillar, the defense pillar, The steadfast cliffWe face problems. This occurs in Norway, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and to a lesser extent in Italy, where I work less. “
The worst market
“I canceled all my orders from the seeds for Belgium, Norway and Ireland on October 8, 2023. I knew that the deals would fail. In Norway and Belgium, these were huge contracts. As for Ireland, it was less than 500-600 tons out of 50 thousand tons of us, but I know other exporters affected in Ireland, especially in the field Citrus and radish. ”
Britain
“We have seen a relative calm in 2024 and 2025 in Britain, until last month. But in Ireland, we witnessed the incidents of a boycott movement and withdrawing investments, such as dumping stores with Israeli goods. In Norway last year, we did not spring one kilogram, despite their need for the product and asked them to it. We told us the products of the products: We want your products but Supply chains will not allow it. European Union“.
He added, “Even the products cultivated in southern Israel, away from West Bank Or the Golan Heights, do not always benefit. Keep a ready -to -use file that contains United Nations maps, GPS and documents that prove that our goods from sovereign Israel, but this only helps only.
Spain and the Netherlands
“The Netherlands also have problems, but it is more focused on business. When there is a gap in the show, the policy is declining. Spain is my biggest market in two years. Great offers for farmers. But I am afraid that we are living in a lost time,” Yapro CEO said.
“The producer is good, the supply chain is satisfied, but the buyer may wake up one day and say to the packing company: No more Israeli goods. It is in the wind. The only reason for our safety is that we sell in bulk, without determining the origin, thus removing the problem. But it is clouded on the entire Europe.”