Ramadaan is a time of reflection, spirituality, and making conscious choices that align with our values. In light of the ongoing genocide being perpetrated by Israel in Gaza, it is imperative that we buy consciously for Ramadaan this year and every year.

The Facts

• 3 out of every 4 Medjoul dates are produced in Israel.[1]
  
• Israel is the world’s 2nd largest ($) exporter of dates worth $317 million in 2021. [2]
  
• Dates is Israel’s most profitable crop by far, in 2021 it raked in 2.5x more revenue than did any other fresh produce. [2]
  
• #CheckTheLabel is not enough – Israel has been caught labelling Israeli dates, grown on stolen land, as ‘produce of Palestine’ [4], especially to target Muslims during Ramadan when Medjoul sales spike by 57%.

As such: Do not buy Medjoul Dates unless they are from a verified Palestinian source like Zaytoun or Yaffa.

Israeli Date Brands in South Africa

Several Israeli date brands are available in South Africa. It is essential to be aware of these brands in order to make informed decisions about purchasing. Some commonly found Israeli date brands include Hadiklaim (Jordan Plains), Carmel, and Magi Dates.

Boycott and Ethical Alternatives

There are alternative brands available that offer safe and ethical options. These brands ensure that the dates you consume during this holy month align with your values of supporting justice and human rights. Here are a few alternative brands to consider:

Madinah Date Farms
A leading brand trading for over a decade that have become a household name with consumers for quality Rutabs and Dates.

Fawakhe Dates
One of the largest South African wholesalers and suppliers of premium quality dates.

Date Harvest
Date Harvest is a South African brand that offers high-quality, locally sourced dates. Their dates are grown and harvested within the country.

Oasis Dates
Oasis Dates is another South African brand that provides a wide variety of dates grown in South Africa. They offer a range of flavors, sizes, and textures, giving you plenty of options to choose from while supporting local farmers.

Karsten Farms South Africa
A few years back Karsten Farms, a local South African distributor of dates, was the target of a successful consumer boycott due to its trade relations with an Israeli company, Hadiklaim. In January 2013, Karsten Farms, one of the largest agricultural companies based in the Northern Cape, provided a written undertaking via their lawyers indicating that they have terminated their relationship with Israel’s Hadiklaim and that they will also not enter into any future relations with any Israeli entity complicit in the illegal Israeli Occupation of Palestine.

This Ramadaan, let us use our purchasing power to make ethical choices and support justice. By choosing to boycott Israeli dates and opt for ethical alternatives, we stand in solidarity with the Palestinians. Let this be a moment of reflection and action, as we seek to align our values with our daily choices, particularly during this sacred month.

#boycottisraelidates