KABUL: Following the war in Gaza, movements calling for the boycott of Israeli products have expanded across Europe. In Ireland, a supermarket worker refused to sell Israeli fruits and vegetables and was later reinstated with the support of labor unions. Trade unions in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Norway have passed resolutions stating that employees should not be forced to sell Israeli products. Some retail chains, including Co-op in Britain and Coop in Italy, have removed Israeli goods from their shelves. The BDS Movement, launched in 2005, calls for economic and cultural boycotts of Israel until the end of what it describes as the occupation of Palestinian territories. Activists say public and labor pressure can influence government decision-making. Meanwhile, Spain and Slovenia have imposed restrictions on the import of goods produced in Israeli settlements. The measures came into effect at the beginning of 2026, highlighting how public and union pressure can lead to changes in government policy.
