Consumer Boycotts

[Desertrose2023]

I posted the BDS list in the supporting Palestinian businesses thread and recent discussion on another thread re the backlash against Zara got me wondering how many others are participating in consumer boycotts linked to the conflict in Gaza (and the occupation in Palestine) or for different reasons.

there are a number of brands I’m boycotting usually for a mix of reasons, political, environmental and social. Interested to hear views from others.

Disclaimer: to avoid any misinterpretation or twisting of my words - I do not support any acts of violence or vandalism or boycotting based on religion/ethnicity.

all the ones on the BDS committee list

https://bdsmovement.net/

in addition to a few others (sample below)

Starbucks: overpriced shit coffee and they recently sued their union for tweeting in support/solidarity with Palestine.

Zara: I stopped buying stuff following the controversy of their head womenswear designer making disgusting anti-Palestinian comments. The reports of slave labour (Uyghurs and in Brazil) plus the recent tone deaf ad campaign was the final straw. Plus trying to be more conscious re reducing how much ‘fast fashion’ I buy anyway.

Nestle: a history of unethical corporate practices plus including ownership of an Israeli food company with production in OPT.

Oh I said people are free to boycott who they like. Don’t assume that means I support them. I’m free to think that some of them are band-wagon jumping sheep with no critical thinking skills depending on who they are boycotting and why.

Yes, your posts do across that way alright.

I intend them to.

Many bands are pulling out of a concert event in Texas after the organisers got sponsorship from weapon manufacturers

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-68533409.amp

Seems like boycotts work

McDonald's Corporation loses $7 billion of its value within hours after its Chief Financial Officer announced the continued impact of boycotts in the Middle East on sales during the current year.

McDonald's stock plunges by over 3%, heading towards its largest daily loss in 5 weeks.

The Chief Financial Officer of McDonald's Corporation stated today, Wednesday, that international sales will continue to decline in the current quarter.

https://www.hotpress.com/music/irish-artists-make-public-statement-at-sxsw-about-their-boycott-of-the-festival-23013922?fbclid=IwAR0wHTn5MWmSJHkoFRBsBn9kUmKW3iToOexywP9Vo2-9juLMz8pELal9SeE

https://www.thenational.scot/news/24193832.prestwick-airport-cuts-off-israeli-air-force-access-backlash/#

Good news, thanks for sharing.

this news from Canada is also positive, although well overdue after 6 months of ongoing war crimes by Israel.

https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/19/canada-halt-arms-sales-to-israel

That told them....

Yes actually, it did.

it told them, even if symbolically, the world is sick of their disgusting morally depraved war and they are losing the global support they once held without question. Instead, they have started becoming a pariah state and one whose name will forever be associate with genocide. We now are actually seeing discussions and debate around sanctions against Israel being held openly in countries and forums where such statements would have been unthinkable previously.

statements like this and many more hopefully to come!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4wQ16xRJE5/?igsh=aGs3cDc3bGh1YjJ3

A small first step but an important one. For the first time the EU joining a growing number of countries imposing sanctions against Israeli settlers.
this may seem insignificant because it’s only against a handful of individuals and not at the level of private companies or the state but it’s unprecedented and definitely a step in the right direction. The sea change is starting.

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/03/18/eu-reaches-political-agreement-to-sanction-extremist-israeli-settlers-says-josep-borrell

Belgium’s capital has just banned the purchase of products from Israeli settlements.

https://twitter.com/sahouraxo/status/1773083988514541726

I hope other countries follow Belgium's example.

Boycotting to cause financial damage to billionnaire companies! Harassing diners and other consumers by shouting shame on you. That's really making a difference.

Harassing individuals is of course wrong.

Individual people can choose where to spend their time and money within the options available to them, and will have different factors contributing to their spending decisions.

Large-scale boycotts do contribute to putting pressure on companies, and can contribute to wider changes. They were very relevant in the case of South Africa some years ago, for example. And for an individual, it can be a way to take action to help make a difference when there may be few other ways in which they can try to help.

Harrassing anyone is wrong and not a legitimate form of protest. Boycotting however is effective and nothing knew. The word actually dates back to the 1880s in Ireland when tenants refused to provide services to and ostracised a British estate manager, Charles Cunningham Boycott in protest over rising rents and evicting tenants. It proved to be a very effective form of protest

https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/irish-invented-boycott

Israel's largest arms company, Elbit Systems, has permanently vacated its weapons factory in Tamworth, Staffordshire, following a relentless campaign by Palestine Action.

This is the third Elbit Systems site in the UK to be shut down permanently by Palestine Action.

It’s been interesting to see the rise of Palestine action and other direct action groups. They appear to have been very effective in that they are exclusively focused on a single company (Elbit) which is Israel’s largest weapon’s manufacturer. They are taking direct measures against their properties and also their investors (eg BNY Mellon, Barclays).

also worth following “codepinkalert” on Instagram who are a group of brave women and men who spend their days at the US congress trying to make their case against funding Israeli genocide to us lawmakers.

Interesting move from McDonald's.

apple.news/A8rmmCyp0S06Cz2lwFtDSbw

Anyone boycotting Israel and eats avocados should check the label carefully, both Coop and Tesco are currently selling avocados from Israel.

ive seen many comments in sm about boycotting pure gym and cancelling the membership after the ceo did a pro Israel and expressed support for continued arms sales to Israel in an interview yesterday

Scarlettskies · Today 11:24
Thank goodness fascists didn't get their way, with Israel competing in the Eurovision.
Do you agree or disagree with Russian still being banned?

What on earth is it where the F word can't now be typed? Ridiculous.

False equivalence.