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.

Love this ❤️
I’m enjoying it too, and agree it’s not been as hard as I thought. It’s been a bit of an awakening for me, I was sleepwalking through life - I think we’re so brainwashed as consumers to believe we can’t live without some of these big brands that actually when we take a step back and stop we realize how much better off we are without them.

Yes... And I tend to think, good luck finding a company producing something with a profit margin that's 100% ethical! Some companies just do a better job of wrapping things up all shiny.

I agree re virtue signaling but I don’t think that’s the case with BDS or the broader boycotts linked with what’s happening in Gaza. People are seeing daily horrific images of kids being bombed, trapped under rubble and starving without food and water whilst the powers that be do nothing. I don’t think it’s virtue signaling in this case to take a personal stand.

In response to some of the snide comments earlier in the thread, linking this other thread for those who haven’t seen it and are also looking for ways to actively support Palestinian business/products in addition to boycotting.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/conflict-in-the-middle-east/4949792-ideas-to-support-palestinian-businesses-and-charities-this-christmas?page=1

If we lookhard enough we could probably find reason to boycott most products, we all feel more or less strongly about different issues and so much is interlinked too.

I do hate bandwagon jumping and virtue signalling (when people just want to protest but they're not sure what they're protesting against).

I dont think people would bother if their heart wasn’t in it. I boycott Nestle for various reasons but trust me I wouldn’t do it just to bandwagon. I love me a Kit Kat.

It’s probably true that being 100% ethical is impossible though.

I see that Meta is on the list...

https://boycott.thewitness.news/browse/1

Meta has been censoring Palestinian, pro-Palestinian, and neutral content which shows the reality of the israeli genocide of gaza which started in October 2023. They have removed content, closed or blocked accounts, and their ai tools for moderating content have shown pro-israel bias, and anti-Palestinian bias.
Do not advertise with Meta

Do not click ads on Meta sites ie Facebook and Instagram

Do not pay for other Meta products

Keep pro-Palestinian content prevalent on the platforms and use the platforms for this purpose only

Nearly pissed myself laughing when I saw that the org has an insta

If it really feels right in your heart to boycott something then it isn't bandwagon jumping. That's doing something you genuinely feel is important.

(PS I'm replying because I'm pretty sure you've quoted me).

Yes I boycott as much as I can.

I’m gearing as many of my purchase as possible towards Israeli backed businesses. They need the support to counteract the ill informed bigots.

I’ll leave those who prefer to support terrorism to stick to their sick virtue signalling.

It's incorrect to conflate legitimate concerns about ethical practices with supporting terrorism.

Hear hear.
I’m not sure what you’re looking to achieve @Charlie2121 ? You made basically the same post earlier on (in a less offensive way) and no one responded. If you’re just looking tor a reaction or to make the point that you support Israel, then message received loud and clear. No one here is interested in a fight for the sake of one. It’s Christmas. Perhaps enjoying your family or friends on this day would be a better use of your time.

If you would like to share your opinions and views in a respectful way and expand on why you disagree with BDS then of course you’re welcome to do that.

I have chosen to boycott a few brands to begin with. There have been noises made about banning the BDS movement so it can be effective as a collective. If companies are losing money then they will look at cutting ties with Israel and taking their business elsewhere. I don't want my money going to companies such as Starbucks and have swapped to supporting local run businesses instead. This aligns with my own values and morals even if this in itself has no impact on the company/business.

I’ve got plenty of spare cash to spend with Israeli backed businesses so will ensure your personal boycott counts for nothing.

Everyone can of course make their own choices. I choose not to back terrorist organisations. Apologies if that is seen as a radical view in this warped world we live in.

Did you mean to be so rude?

All food is full of chemicals.

I buy all of my tech second hand and use them for as long as possible and have for years. I started doing it for environmental reasons but if it helps in preventing my money reaching hideous companies like HP then all the better 🙂

At the end of the day I don't think anyone, unless possibly they are loaded, can be 100% ethical but doing the best that you can is good enough for me.

@Desertrose2023

"Thank you for sharing that. How terrible. The plight of the Uyghurs unfortunately does not receive the international attention that it should. It was truly shameful that China got the 2022 Winter Olympics given what everyone knows about what they’re doing to the people in Xinjiang."

+++

Sadly very few know about the imprisonment of Uyghurs simply for being practising Muslims or forced labour camps they are then sent to or the destruction of mosques or Muslim cemeteries to try and wipe out both their culture and religion.

Even less people care about it and even fewer dare to speak out about it- why "because China is too big an economy with too much influence".

@Charlie2121 you come across as very angry. I hope you feel better soon.

I don't think anyone here is advocating supporting terrorist organisations, indeed doing so is a criminal offence in quite a few places. Instead, people are discussing making personal choices about where they spend their own money, given ethical concerns about multiple companies around the world.

I prefer to know that, when I've made my spending choices, where I can, I've chosen not to put my own money into the pockets of firms which run directly counter to my personal values, whether that's because they treat employees unfairly, use sweatshops, have environmentally unfriendly practices or fund military organisations with which I disagree.

I think some of it is undoubtedly virtue signalling and/or bandwagon following (with little real understanding/desire to understand), but of course there will be people who genuinely are informed (or at least think they are) and/or doing what feels right and just to them.

Yep, I'd go even further and say all food IS chemicals (as is pretty much everything in the world).