Dear Harris Farm,

As customers at your store, we write to you with great concern as you are currently selling Dates that are a product of Israel. We ask that you remove this product from sale as soon as possible in alignment with the Boycott of Israeli apartheid. 

Many dates sold in Australian supermarkets and grocery stores are grown in Israeli settlements which are illegal according to international law as they are located on Israeli Occupied Palestinian land.[1]

Dates are an important part of Israel’s economy, producing over half of the world’s leading varietal the Medjool date. Israeli exporters are using their profits to support these illegal settlements that help entrench the brutal, military occupation and colonisation of Palestine.

Additionally, Israel has maintained control of Palestine’s water resources since 1948, severely restricting Palestinian access to their own water, leaving Palestinians with insufficient water for either their individual needs or to produce food for their economy, crucially including dates. 

Help end this situation by boycotting Israeli dates

The Israeli date industry is highly exploitative of Palestinian workers, including using child labour. The Human Rights Watch Report (2015) documents children as young as 13 being exploited in the Israeli settlement agricultural industry.  These children are paid very low wages and all Palestinian adults and children whom Human Rights Watch interviewed, earned far less than the Israeli minimum wage. Palestinians working in agriculture in settlement enterprises are often unable to find work elsewhere as the Occupation has destroyed the Palestinian economy. The working conditions are hazardous, and workers are forced to work long hours without adequate protections and compensation.

Boycotts Work

The worldwide consumer, cultural, sporting and economic boycott, divestment and sanctions of South Africa contributed to the end of South African apartheid. In 2005, Palestinian civil society called for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions to assist Palestinian people to similarly achieve freedom and justice.

The boycott of Israeli dates is sending a strong message to Israel’s government that Apartheid must end. 

Please join the growing international BDS movement to help end Israel’s occupation of Palestine.

Palestinian dates available for purchase in Australia

Brands: Al-Rowad, Sultan, Qitaf & Yolo (NZ)

In addition you can purchase non-Israeli dates from Jordan, USA and elsewhere

Wholesalers: Hescham Coffee, Al Aseel Food Services & Baba G Wholesale Sydney

[1] UN Resolution 2334 (2016) clearly states that the establishment by Israel of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. The Resolution demands that Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and that it fully respects all of its legal obligations in this regard.

Kind regards, 

Justice for Palestine Magandjin