| Davi Barker | |||||
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The first official boycott of Israel was spearheaded by the Arab League immediately after Israel was established in 1948. In 2005 Palestinian Civil Society issued a call for boycott, divestment and sanctions until Israel complies with International Law, and universal principles of human rights. Since then that call has been endorsed by hundreds of organizations which aim to challenge Israel's treatment of the Palestinian people.
Consumers boycott Israeli products, such as Ahava skin-care products made from Dead Sea mud, or Israeli dates which are the most profitable crop of many Israeli settlements. Musicians such as Elvis Costello and Carlos Santana cancelled concerts in Israel. Organizations like US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation (USCEIO) and US Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (USACBI) compile and circulate lists of brand names and corporations that aid Israel. These include Caterpillar Inc. that produces the armored bulldozers used to demolish Palestinian homes, or Motorola which manufactures missile guidance systems in aerial drones, and surveillance systems used in in checkpoints and along the apartheid wall.
Boycotts have been instrumental in effecting political change, such as its successful use as a tool to end South African apartheid. But many find it virtually impossible to avoid all the companies on the list. For those who can't give up that morning Starbucks, or that Coca-Cola with dinner there is another tool in the economic arsenal. Instead of boycotting Israel, you can buy Palestine. Despite the Palestinian economy being stifled by Israeli policies, Palestinians continue to farm, and produce a variety of products which can be purchased on a variety of websites.
Carol Morton, wife of the Reverend Colin Morton of St. Andrew's Church in Jerusalem, is the Manager of Hadeel, a Fair Trade shop which aims to provide a sustainable source of income for craftspeople working in the West Bank, Gaza, and Lebanon. She got her start in 1988 when she participated in the founding of Craftaid, which was the predecessor of Sunbula, Palcrafts and Hadeel all non-profit organisations committed to promoting social justice and economic empowerment for the marginalised.
Illume Magazine: What are Palestine's primary exports?
Carol Morton: Fair Trade exports are primarily hand embroidered items (everything from bookmarks to jackets and dresses), olive wood and mother of pearl carvings and jewellery. Fair Trade foods include the oil (first olive oil in the world to have Fairtrade Mark), dates, almonds, cous cous.
Illume: Does the Israeli government limit Palestinian exports?
Morton: All exports from West Bank and Gaza are limited in the sense that Palestinians cannot import or export anything directly because of the Israeli Occupation of these areas. And if someone can't get a permit to get into Israel, how can they get things to an Israeli post office? This delays products at the least, and ruins them at worst, with e.g. flowers or strawberries rotting trying to get out of Gaza. It is of course a different story for Palestinian products coming from Lebanon, Jordan or other areas in the diaspora.
Illume: How can consumers be assured that their purchases benefit farmers or small business owners in Palestine?
Morton: Anyone buying from Hadeel can know because we have personal knowledge of all the groups from which we import. Staff and volunteers visit the groups regularly and my husband and I lived for nearly 10 years in Jerusalem, when I was instrumental in starting a charity and shop which marketed crafts from a wide variety of social enterprises. Hadeel has much information on its website about the groups from whom we import, and we regularly have orders from the US.
Illume: Which products benefit them the most?
Morton: Handcrafts, especially embroidery, from recognized organisations which are social enterprises, benefit the most marginalized. This could be those with special needs whether physical or mental, or women who belong to cooperatives or other organisations in isolated villages and refugee camps. The olive oil is now benefiting hundreds of farmers who are joining cooperatives in the West Bank.
Illume: What are your top sellers?
Morton: Top in terms of quantity are things like olive oil soap, especially Dead Sea Mud, as it does not come from the settlement from which Ahava products come. You may be aware of the campaign to raise awareness on this issue and boycott Ahava products. Other top sellers are olive wood products like hearts and holding crosses. Olive oil is also a top seller. And unique traditional embroidery. Customers consider our shop more of an art gallery with the rich colours and incomparably neat stitches making up bags, purses, vests, heirloom quality cushion covers.
Illume: Is there a significant difference between Gaza and West Bank with regards to their ability to export products?
Morton: Yes. Right now Gaza is virtually the largest prison camp in the world. Israel restricts exports severely and has recently designated only one exporting agency (WPS) to be used by a group of deaf people; using this agency added 40% onto the value of goods, making them difficult to sell.
Illume: And anything else you'd like to add.
Morton: People often overlook asking how we get money back to people. Palestinians receive almost no mail from the outside world and if they do it is months late. Sometimes electronic bank transfers are possible but with people suspecting anything going to Gaza goes to Hamas, this can be difficult. A lot of our work is based on personal contacts built up over the last 22 years. The other UK organisation importing directly is Zaytoun - they do the food items particularly.
- Additional Online Shops
- Shop In Palestine
- Canaan Fair Trade
- Palestine Online Store
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