The Co-operative Group suspends purchases from Israel and sixteen other countries
Major UK retailer cites human rights concerns and overwhelming member support in decision to halt goods purchasing from several nations, including Israel
The Co-operative Group, one of the United Kingdom’s leading retailers, has announced it will stop buying goods from Israel and sixteen additional countries, citing serious concerns about human rights violations and breaches of international law. The decision follows independent reviews and was made official through a written statement from the cooperative, which emphasized that the suspension is based on international consensus, a desire to positively impact victims, and the need to maintain commercial integrity.
According to the Co-op, this policy was approved by its board as a response to growing demands within British society for justice and peace, particularly when ethical sourcing is in question. The decision has received praise from advocacy groups, notably the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which described the move as an act of ethical leadership and is now encouraging other retailers in the United Kingdom to consider similar steps.
Last month, approximately 73 percent of Co-op members supported discontinuing the sale of Israeli products during a key general assembly vote, highlighting strong grassroots backing for the initiative. The company has made it clear that it intends to review and update its purchasing policies to ensure they align with the evolving social and ethical expectations of its membership base.
