Two leading Italian supermarket chains will stop importing and selling fruits and vegetables from Agrexco, an Israeli company located in the West Bank.
Coop and Nordiconad made the decision following months of pressure from pro-Palestinian groups.
It was announced May 25 on an Italian website called “Stop Agrexco,” created last year to promote the boycott of food products from West Bank settlements. Coop, with branches throughout Italy, says it is not boycotting Israeli products in general, but only Agrexco produce because the origin of each item was not marked, which makes it more difficult for customers who want to boycott produce from settlements.
The statement said the chain had decided on a “temporary suspension” of imports from Agrexco “until we receive more detailed specifics on the origin.”
In response to the move, Israel supporters in Italy founded a Facebook group called “I will not shop at Coop or Conad.” The group had more than 1,100 fans by midweek. — jta