Boycott of Israeli dates intensifies

The boycott of Israeli dates around the world upset Israeli exporters.

According to media reports, Israeli dates have been part of the table in many Arab and Islamic countries during Ramazan for years, but the boycott campaign that started after the start of the Israeli invasion of Gaza in October 2023 has severely affected the export of Israeli dates, especially al-Medjool.

According to Arab media, the global dates market is about 8 million tons, in which Israel’s share is about 40,000 tons. About 80 per cent of Israeli dates are made up of al-Medjool dates.

Israel grows most dates in illegal jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, especially in the al-Ghorn settlement, which produces 30,000 tons of al-Medjool dates annually, accounting for 75 per cent of Israel’s total palm production.

Campaigning to boycott Israeli dates has troubled date palm growers in Israel for the second year in a row.

Arab media said there has been a clear decline in the sale of Israeli dates during Ramazan, mainly due to the war on Gaza and the ongoing boycott campaigns by palestinian supporters.

Several international organizations have also called for a boycott of Israeli dates, saying that Israeli companies are misleading consumers by labeling their dates as ‘Palestine’, which is against British laws.

According to Israeli media reports, palm exporters are trying to remove Israel’s name from dates and sell them to Arab and Muslim countries, but supporters of the boycott have exposed these tactics.