Israeli food boycott battle at Brooklyn food co-op exposes deepening NYC divisions

Members of Park Slope Food Coop are scheduled to vote on a proposal to ban all made-in-Israel items. Supporters frame the boycott as a small but meaningful way to oppose Israel’s policies in the Gaza and Iran wars and to address discrimination against Palestinians, drawing comparisons to economic actions against apartheid South Africa and segregation in the Deep South. Opponents argue the boycott is divisive, largely ineffective, and may be perceived as antisemitic when applied broadly to Israeli products. The dispute has spilled into wider New York politics, including the NY-10th District Democratic primary between Dan Goldman and Brad Lander, reflecting a deepening divide across the city.

"Members of the co-op are set to vote Tuesday on a heavily-debated proposal to ban all made-in-Israel items, with members staking out sides on both sides of the measure. Supporters say the ban would amount to a small but potent gesture of opposition to Israel's policies in the Gaza and Iran wars and discrimination against the Palestinians. They compare the anti-Israel push to similar economic actions against apartheid South Africa and segregation in the Deep South, even though the only Israeli products the co-op stocks are a little-known brand of Israeli hummus, corn snacks and Ecolove hair products with Green Vegetable and Purple Fruit options."

""It's about the fact that we're complicit in what's happening over there and it needs to stop immediately," said John Caramichael, 27. "This is what we can do." Opponents counter that the proposed boycott is a divisive waste of time. Some also consider it anti-semitic to blanketly boycott Israeli products. "It is just an excuse to show your power," said Andre Schklowsky, 84, who joined the co-op in 1974. "It's not gonna affect much of what I actually buy. It is just an excuse to divide people.""

"Bruno Grandsard of Park Slope called the co-op a successful "jewel" that brings an amazing array of products to the community. A 25-year veteran member, he says anti-Israel politics has nothing to do with its mission. "It's terrible for the co-op. (It) creates division," he said of the boycott push. "Most people don't care. It's a supermarket." Outside the co-op Friday, a couple confronted a pro-boycott organizer to ask why getting rid of Israeli vegetables would change the trajecto"

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