Better Food Says NO to Israeli Products: A Bold Stand for Justice šā

Better Food, a beloved Bristol-based organic grocery chain, has taken a strong stand for justice by officially removing all Israeli-made products from their shelves. This decision supports the Bristol Apartheid Free Zone (BAFZ) campaign, which fights for Palestinian rights by urging businesses to stop selling Israeli products.
Why Did Better Food Make This Choice? šš
Better Food explained that their mission is rooted in fairness, community, and ethical choices. The company believes that creating a "better, fairer food community" requires making responsible decisions about what they stock.
Hereās what they had to say:
āWe support the BDS Movementās call, inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement, to pressure Israel to comply with international law. Thatās why you wonāt find any Israeli products in our stores.ā
Translation? Better Food isnāt just selling groceriesātheyāre taking a stand for human rights. š±ā
What Is the BDS Movement? š¤
The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Movement is a global initiative to peacefully pressure Israel to end its apartheid policies and violations of international law. It takes cues from the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa.
The Bristol Apartheid Free Zone (BAFZ) campaign is part of this effort, encouraging local businesses and communities to stop selling or buying products from Israel.
BAFZ calls for Bristol residents to support local businesses that refuse to profit off the oppression of Palestinians. Better Food is the latestāand largestābusiness to join the cause. š
Community Reactions š¢
Better Foodās decision has sparked mixed reactions:
- Supporters praise the move as an important step toward a fairer, more ethical Bristol.
- Critics, however, have expressed concern, claiming the boycott targets an entire group of people rather than the Israeli government.
One Instagram user called it āa slap in the face to all of (their) Jewish customers and colleagues.ā However, supporters of the BDS movement emphasize that this boycott is aimed at the Israeli governmentās policies, not Jewish people or culture.
Why Does This Matter? š
This isnāt just about one grocery chaināitās about creating a ripple effect. By refusing to sell Israeli goods, Better Food is sending a message: human rights matter more than profit.
Actions like these bring attention to the suffering of Palestinians and pressure Israel to comply with international law. They also remind us, as consumers, that every purchase we make carries weight. š°š¤
What You Can Do š„
Want to take action like Better Food? Hereās how you can get involved:
1ļøā£ Shop Ethically: Use tools like Boycat to find out if a product is tied to Israeli apartheid and discover ethical alternatives.
2ļøā£ Support Businesses: Shop at stores that align with your values, like Better Food in Bristol.
3ļøā£ Spread Awareness: Talk to your local businesses and ask them to stop selling Israeli goods.
A Step Toward Justice šļø
Better Foodās decision is a powerful reminder that change starts locally. By standing with Palestine, theyāre proving that every businessābig or smallācan make a difference.
Together, we can build a world where justice is the norm, not the exception. Will your local shop be next? š