Jewish Groups Denounce New York City Food Co-Op's Vote to Boycott Israeli Products

A New York City food co-op voted to boycott Israeli products, including goods produced in Israel within pre-1967 borders and products from Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The measure passed with 67 percent support, with 31 percent opposed and 2 percent abstaining. Jewish attendees requested the meeting be moved to Zoom due to fears about safety if they attended in person. Jewish advocacy groups said the boycott endorses an antisemitic movement and normalizes discrimination and hostility toward Jewish identity. StandWithUs criticized the boycott for not helping Israelis and Palestinians make peace and for promoting the agenda of violent extremists. A demand letter from the Louis D. Brandeis Center cited antisemitic rhetoric and intimidation directed at Jewish members before the vote.

"The co-op will “not sell goods produced in Israel (pre-1967 borders) or in Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.” Fewer than a dozen Israeli-made items sold in the co-op will be affected. The boycott passed by a vote of 67 percent in favor to 31 percent against, with the remaining two percent abstaining. About 7,000 of the Park Slope Food Co-op's 17,000 members attended the meeting, which was moved to Zoom after Jewish attendees expressed fear for their safety if they went in person."

"“This does nothing to help Israelis and Palestinians make peace,” said Avi Posnick, executive director of the northeast office of StandWithUs. “Instead, it actively promotes the agenda of violent extremists, while fueling hostility and division among members of the co-op. We stand with Co-op 4 Unity, who worked tirelessly to stop their co-op from being co-opted by a global hate movement.”"

"He added, “We encourage all people of good will to reject campaigns of hate and instead support genuine efforts toward justice and peace between Israelis and Palestinians.” Jewish civil rights group said on Wednesday that it only serves to further normalize discrimination and assaults on Jewish identity. The move is on brand, as the organization has a history of advocating progressive causes."

"Last week, the co-op was warned in a demand letter sent by the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law that the conduct of some of its members ahead of the vote constituted unlawful antisemitic discrimination. The missive cited examples of antisemitic rhetoric and intimidation directed at Jewish members, including one in which an activist declared during a committee meeting that “Jewish sup"

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