Overview

• The Co-op will halt sourcing relationships with 17 “countries of concern” identified for community-wide human rights abuses, including Israel, Russia, Iran and North Korea.
• Members backed a motion at the May AGM to remove Israeli products, prompting the board to formalize the boycott under its “Hate Divides Communities, Co-operation Builds Them” campaign.
• Implementation starts this month, removing items or ingredients—such as carrots from Israel and vodka from Russia—and managing contract exits under GSCOP guidelines.
• Retail executives anticipate minimal financial impact because most Co-op products are sourced from Western Europe.
• Pro-Israeli activists have branded the boycott “shameful,” underscoring tensions between human rights advocacy and political pressure groups.