We, the undersigned residents of British Columbia and allies, call on the provincial government to take immediate action to halt the import and sale of Israeli alcohol products in BC Government Liquor Stores. 

Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. The classification of Israel’s aggression as a genocide, and confirmation of Israel’s violation of international law, are supported by the following:

• January 26, 2024: the International Criminal Court of Justice (ICJ) declared Israel’s actions in Gaza plausibly genocidal.
• July 19, 2024: the ICJ ruled that Israel’s decades-long occupation of Palestinian lands is illegal.
• October 1, 2024, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories declared that UN “Member States must intervene now” to halt Israel’s “forced displacement and replacement of the Palestinians.”
• November 21, 2024: ICJ issued arrest warrants for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-defense minister Yoav Gallant for crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Despite these rulings, Israel continues to expand its genocidal campaign and its aggression against Palestinians and neighboring countries, including Lebanon and Syria.

Banning Israeli wines from BC is consistent with the BC government ban on sale of Russian alcohol in February 2022 and with this government’s obligations under international law. 

On February 25, 2022, the BC cabinet ordered an immediate halt to the import and sale of Russian alcohol in BC Liquor Stores. Deputy Premier Mike Farnworth declared that the ban was intended to punish states who “commit deplorable and illegal acts of aggression.”

Deputy Premier Farnworth’s condemnation of “deplorable and illegal acts of aggression” also applies to Israel’s military assault on Gaza, its colonial occupation of Palestinian lands and its attacks on Lebanon and Syria, which have been condemned by international courts and human rights organizations.

UN members states have an obligation to use all possible tools to bring Israel into compliance with international law. Canada is a UN member and has a responsibility to act consistently with international law.

When it ordered the removal of all Russian liquors from BC government liquor outlets, the BC cabinet recognized that it has the authority to enforce sanctions that have an international impact.

Removing Israeli liquor would not deprive customers of kosher products, as alternatives from several other countries remain available.

We, therefore, urge the BC government to immediately halt the import and sale of Israeli alcohol products through the BC Liquor Distribution Branch and in BC Government Liquor Stores.