Co-op launches Palestinian beer amid Israel boycott
Taybeh Brewing Co, a Palestinian microbrewery, has secured a national listing with the Co-op for its new collaboration with Scottish B Corp Brewgooder. The move comes as the retailer ends trade with Israeli suppliers following a member-backed policy on ethical sourcing.
Taybeh Brewing Co, a family-run brewery on the West Bank, will see its new collaboration with Brewgooder, Sun & Stone lager, stocked in 1,600 Co-op stores across the UK from 10 September. The beer is also available directly via Brewgooder’s website.
Brewed in Scotland in partnership with Taybeh’s brewmaster Madees Khoury, Sun & Stone references the Middle Eastern climate and landscape. Brewgooder has pledged to produce the beer at zero profit, with proceeds supporting Taybeh’s community and the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).
Context of Co-op’s wider boycott of Israel
The listing coincides with Co-op’s decision to end sourcing from Israeli businesses following a vote by its members earlier this year. The Co-op Group has ceased trading with 17 countries identified as having “internationally recognised” human rights abuses, including Israel, Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Libya and Syria.
The company confirmed it has already halted sales of Israeli carrots. Debbie White, chair of the Co-op Group board, said the new policy was “a natural progression” of its legacy in Fairtrade and ethical sourcing, as reported by Reuters.
Other British supermarkets have not adopted a blanket boycott. Tesco, for example, does not source products from Israeli settlements but continues to trade with Israel in line with government guidance.
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Brewing under occupation
Founded after the 1994 Oslo Accords by Nadim and David Khoury, Taybeh is the oldest brewery in the Middle East. Now led by Nadim’s daughter Madees and son Canaan, the brewery has faced mounting obstacles including checkpoint delays, customs restrictions and rising costs.
Khoury (centre) said, “Things are getting worse, but we’re still here, still making beer. Because what else can we do but keep going? Our brewery provides jobs and a much-needed distraction. It tells a story – it shows a side of Palestine that people do not always see.”
UK retailers and past boycotts
The Co-op’s stance echoes its earlier move in 2022 to pull Russian Standard vodka from shelves in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, reported by the drinks business. Other major retailers, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Aldi, soon followed suit.
According to Statista, the UK was Russia’s largest vodka export market in 2020, worth US$20 million. The sector was significantly affected by subsequent boycotts and sanctions.
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