Global boycott of Israeli dates gains momentum

Israeli date exports have faced a significant decline due to an ongoing global boycott campaign, particularly in Arab and Islamic countries during Ramazan, according to media reports.

The boycott, which intensified following Israel's military operation in Gaza in October 2023, has severely impacted the export of Israeli dates, especially the popular al-Medjool variety.

Arab media sources report that the global date market produces around 8 million tons annually, with Israel contributing approximately 40,000 tons.

Around 80% of Israeli date exports consist of al-Medjool dates, primarily cultivated in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. The al-Ghorn settlement alone produces 30,000 tons of al-Medjool dates annually, accounting for 75% of Israel’s total date production.

The boycott has reportedly led to a noticeable decline in Israeli date sales during Ramazan for the second consecutive year.

Some international organisations have also accused Israeli companies of mislabeling their products as "Palestine" to circumvent the boycott, a practice allegedly in violation of British trade laws.

According to Israeli media, exporters are attempting to rebrand their products to continue sales in Arab and Muslim countries, but boycott activists have exposed these efforts.