Why this Brooklyn food co-op voted to boycott Israeli goods

Added: 2026-06-03

[00:00:00]The Park Slope Food Co-op has been around since 1973, a neighborhood institution with more than 17,000 members who work there in exchange for the access to shop there. But a battle has been brewing for years over whether or not to boycott Israeli products. I advocate for the nonviolent resistance towards the liberation of Palestine through boycotting Israeli products. The Co-op tells New York 1 they currently only carry a few products from Israel, like Eco Love shampoo and conditioner, and Al Arz Tahini. When I see Israeli products stocked on the shelves, even though I'm not buying them, I'm disturbed by the fact that I know that my labor and my money is going towards the purchase of goods from a country that is committing a genocide and over overseeing an apartheid.

[00:00:48]>> The Co-op has boycotted goods from places like apartheid South Africa and Chile in the past, and members tell us there've been calls within the group to boycott Israeli products since 2009. The movement picked up steam in 2023 when the war in Gaza began, which followed the October 7th attack by Hamas. I think supporting Israel right now is just a no-brainer thing to not do. But not everyone agrees. I think it's a little um pro forma, it's a little uh ridiculous in that is the world going to change because people buy hummus from the Co-op?

[00:01:23]>> I really don't um understand how boycotting Israeli products is going to move forward their agenda. The Co-op tells New York 1 the debate over the boycott has been contentious and emotionally charged, so much so that the Co-op hired security due to concerns about staff and member safety.

[00:01:45]>> They're in your face, and they let you know where they stand, and you're just like, "Hey, man, I'm just trying to shop." But those in favor of the boycott hope their movement can inspire others.

[00:01:56]>> Although this is just one block in Central Brooklyn, um this co-op can set an example um that can spread to other co-ops and other institutions, to universities, labor unions. The Park Slope Food Co-op voted to boycott Israeli products with 67% of the members voting in favor of the boycott. In Brooklyn, Olivia Leach, New York 1.