British cooperative to promote Palestinian goods over Israeli

Original article found on ynet here

British cooperative to promote Palestinian goods over Israeli

Retailers' cooperative sends letter to local manufacturers saying will not market products with any part produced in 'illegally occupied territories', but announces plans to promote Palestinian goods
Gali Berger, Calcalist

Israel's Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip has had its effect on local exporters, with Britain being one of the leading nations in this aspect.


The British retailers' cooperative sent a letter to the Carmel Winery distributor last week saying: Up to this day we have not taken any products containing significant parts manufactured in the occupied territories. From now on, we will also avoid marketing products with any part of their components purchased in the occupied territories.


Britain also plans to promote Palestinian goods. "We are opening commerce channels with Palestinian farmers in hopes of launching the first fair-trade Palestinian product later during the year," the letter said.


At the end of the letter the signatories, who stressed they had no problem marketing goods produced in Israel, requested an affidavit from distributors stating that none of the goods or any of there components were manufactured in the "illegally occupied" territories.


This is not the first time British unions wage war against Israeli goods. About a year-and-a-half ago the Transport and General Workers’ Union called for a boycott of Israeli goods as opposition to "Israel's conduct in the occupied territories".


The cooperative signing the documents contains over 1.5 million members.


Carmel Winery CEO Israel Ivzan said this was a sign of deterioration in ties. "The fact that they are promoting Palestinian products and campaigning for them is new."


Ivzan said, however, the letter would have no effect on his products. "The wines that we market all originate in completely Israeli territory. Our export to Britain stands at some 50,000-60,000 bottles a year, that amounts to NIS 1 million to NIS1.5 million, ($248,000 - $372,000)" he said.