Why BDS?

While the word “apartheid” comes from the specific case of racial segregation in South Africa, apartheid is a crime against humanity under international law that can occur anywhere in the world.

Under international law, apartheid involves “inhuman acts committed for the purpose of establishing and maintaining domination by one racial group of persons over any other racial group of persons and systematically oppressing them.” These inhuman acts include murder, torture, arbitrary arrest, legislative discriminatory measures, the persecution of people resisting apartheid, and more.

Yes. Palestinian, Israeli, and international human rights groups agree that Israel operates a system of apartheid within Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. According to the Israeli human rights group, B’Tselem, “The territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea is governed by a single regime that works to maintain Jewish supremacy.” This is accomplished through comprehensive control of land and resources, a tiered system of rights, and state violence against Palestinians that includes arbitrary and indefinite detention and military occupation.

Full Reports on Israeli Apartheid:

• Amnesty International

• Human Rights Watch

• B’Tselem

• Al Haq

Abbreviated Resources:

• B’Tselem: This is Apartheid (Visual Explainer)

• Amnesty International: Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians (Video)

• Visualizing Palestine: Hafrada/Apartheid (Infographic)

The Apartheid-Free Co-op campaign has identified the following products at the Co-op as being made or sourced in Israel. This list is not exhaustive, and the Co-op may carry additional Israeli products on a permanent or seasonal basis.

• Soom Tahini, Grocery (“Product of Israel”)

• Wild Harvest Tahini, Grocery (“Product of Israel”)

• Mighty Sesame Co Tahini, Grocery (“Product of Israel”)

• Field Day Tahini, Grocery (“Product of Israel”)

• Honey Pot Tampons, Health and Wellness (“Made in Israel with Global Components”)

• Nuts.com Israeli couscous, Bulk Department in the Northampton store (“Country of Origin: Israel”)

• Let's Do Organic Organic Sugar Cones, (“Product of Israel”)

Boycotts have long been an effective tool for justice. They were instrumental in the American Civil Rights Movement, the United Food Workers struggle for worker rights, and in the Anti-Apartheid movement that helped end apartheid in South Africa. Boycotts work by withdrawing economic support for unjust systems until they change their unjust policies.

Israel depends on international economic, military, and diplomatic support to maintain its system of apartheid and attacks on Palestinians. Boycotts impose economic consequences for Israel’s violations of international law, while also building political pressure within the United States against unconditional military and diplomatic support for Israeli apartheid.

In 1984, a grocery worker in Ireland refused to ring up a grapefruit grown in apartheid South Africa. This led to a three-year strike that ended with the Irish government banning all products from apartheid South Africa. In the next decade, institutions and governments around the world followed suit, contributing to the fall of apartheid in South Africa. A small grocery store helped catalyze a historic victory for justice and democracy.

River Valley Co-op has the opportunity to join a similar boycott for justice today – the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement to end apartheid in Palestine. By boycotting Israeli goods until Israel complies with international law, River Valley Co-op would not only be living up to its mission of being a just marketplace, but it would also contribute to an international movement that can end apartheid in Palestine.

The mission of River Valley Co-op includes creating “a just marketplace that nourishes the community.” This justice-driven mission is why so many of us are proud to be members of the Co-op. The Co-op has proudly taken public stances in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and the LGBTQ+ community, and invested significant resources into climate action. The Co-op also uses its purchasing discretion to enact its values by stocking wholesome, local, and fair trade products, and has participated in boycotts of both Driscoll’s berries and GT Kombucha. Using our collective economic power to stand against apartheid is a straightforward continuation of this community’s values. The AFC campaign supports and encourages all of our local institutions to join the BDS movement to create an apartheid-free valley, and we believe that our justice-minded Co-op should lead the way.

The Apartheid-Free Co-op proposal is for a boycott, not a ban. Israel can end the boycott of Israeli goods at any time, by respecting the rights of Palestinians and abiding by international law.