British Muslims boycott Israeli dates during Ramadan

While extending support to the Palestinian brothers and sisters, the British Muslim community has called to boycott Israeli dates for breaking their fasts during the holy month of Ramadan.

The campaign organisers, named Friends of Al-Aqsa, hoped the 'boycott would hit the pocket of Israel'. 

The boycott's focus is on dates because of their symbolic importance to the Muslims during Ramadan, as they break their fast at sunset with eating dates. 

“At the time when we have been thinking about the people less fortunate than us, it would be hypocritical and an affront if we ignore what’s happening in Palestine and also support it by buying dates from Isreal,” The Guardian quoted Shamiul Joarder, an organiser of the boycott movement. 

Pro-Palestinian activists said that dates account for 15% of exports from Israel to European countries. 

According to the Friends of Al-Aqsa, Israel's income from the fruits each year is approximately €80 million (£66 million).

Boycott organizers said that a large proportion of Israel's income comes from two million Muslims in Britain, who buy dates during Ramadan.

The UK is reportedly the second-biggest importer of Israeli dates in Europe, and, in 2020, it had imported more than 3,000 tons of date from Isreal worth about £7.5 million ($9.6 million), according to the statistics released by Friends of Alqsa.

The advocacy group also encouraged imams in the local mosques to address the boycott in their sermons.