Fighting the good fight in every corner of the UK

The Co-op's Boycott policies regarding Israel have been challenged at area meetings of the Co-op held across the country this month. Calls to scrap the boycott were made by Co-op members in North London, Brighton, Salisbury, Belfast, Cambridge, Wrexham, Leeds, Crewe, Guildford, Manchester, South London, Stockport and Merseyside. In the meantime, the latest petitions have been presented in North Wales, Bournemouth and Brighton signed by over 500 concerned consumers. A Co-op store in Lisburn Co Antrim also received a petition, signed by over 100 local shoppers. The Board's consultant on communal engagement with Israel, Steven Jaffe said: "The national and sustained character of our campaign has taken the Co-op completely by surprise. It is hugely important because without it I am sure we would have seen the Co-op pressurised into boycotting even more Israeli companies. Other retailers can also see that boycotting Israel is unpopular well beyond the Jewish community. I applaud the work of individuals and groups across the country who are determined to speak out on this issue". Steven can be contacted atsteven.jaffe@bod.org.uk. His work is part funded by the Jewish Leadership Council.