Dutch supermarkets won't stop selling Israeli products

Large Dutch supermarket chains have no plans to stop selling Israeli products like dates anytime soon, despite growing criticism of Israel over the war in Gaza. Albert Heijn and Jumbo will continue selling products from Israel as long as the Dutch government and the European Union allow them. Lidl said it was considering removing these products from its shelves.

A Jumbo spokesperson said that this is a question that is being asked throughout the supermarket sector. “Like other Dutch supermarkets, we always comply with national and international laws and regulations when selling products, even when these are products from disputed territories.” She said that the supplier certificates for fruit and vegetables from Israel prove that these products do not come from occupied territories. She did not comment on which Jumbo products, aside from dates, originate from Israel.

Albert Heijn is also currently selling peanuts in the shell from Israel. A spokesperson for the chain said it complies with national and international regulations when selling products. “We purchase our (fresh) products from suppliers with whom we have long-term relationships. We have conditions and, thanks to this long-term partnership, know exactly where our products come from.” According to the spokesperson, Albert Heijn products don’t come from occupied territories. “The human suffering is terrible and deeply affects us and our colleagues.”

Lidl is “in discussions” about whether the supermarket chain will stop selling products from Israel, a spokesperson said. She did not specify the nature of the discussions. According to her, Lidl’s shelves currently only hold dates from Israel.

Pro-Palestinian activists regularly protest against the sale of Israeli products by supermarket chains and demand that they stop. Supermarket chains are accused of financing war crimes by purchasing products from Israel.

Several political parties are also increasingly pushing to take more measures against Israel, for example, by imposing additional sanctions. The NSC resigned from the Cabinet last month after caretaker Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp stepped down because he couldn’t convince his coalition partners to support more action against Israel.