London: In order to avoid breaking their fasts with the "taste of apartheid," Muslims in Europe are being urged to read fruit labels carefully and steer clear of Israeli dates this Ramadan, according to the group behind a new boycott.
“By choosing not to buy Israeli dates this Ramadan, the Muslim community can send a clear and powerful message of condemnation of Israel’s illegal occupation and apartheid in Palestine,” said Shamiul Joarder of the UK-based Friends of Al-Aqsa (FOA), who have launched the campaign, Arab News reported.
“Israel is the world’s largest producer of Medjoul dates, with 50 per cent of Israel’s dates exported to Europe, FOA said in a statement. “These dates are then sold in major supermarkets as well as local shops across the continent.
According to FOA, 50% of Israeli dates are shipped to Europe, where they are heavily imported by the UK, Netherlands, France, Spain, and Italy. Over 3,000 tonnes of dates, valued at approximately £7.5 million ($8.9 million), were shipped by the UK from Israel in 2020.
It also mentioned that at least 62 Palestinians, including 13 children, have been killed by Israel so far this year, which equates to one kid being killed every five days.
“The Israeli government is increasing home demolitions at an alarming rate and has promised to expand illegal settlements at an unprecedented level,” it added.
FOA stressed that international leading human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, “have said that Israel is committing the crime of apartheid, but European states are failing to impose sanctions on Israel and uphold international law.”
Joarder said: “It’s time to renew our commitment to BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) this Ramadan. We must remember that as a community we are powerful — we can make our voices heard through the simple act of putting Israeli dates back on the shelf.”
He added: “All we need to do is #CheckTheLabel and not buy dates from apartheid Israel.”
On March 17, the final Friday before Ramadan, a Day of Action has been organised at mosques in the UK to encourage Muslims to "check the label." The final weekend before the holy month will also see an online awareness campaign.