Humza Yousaf has today (Tuesday) tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament to congratulate the Co-operative Group on ending trade with companies that export produce from illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The Co-operative Group has become the first major European supermarket group to boycott such goods, which is estimated to affect at least four suppliers.

Commenting, Mr. Yousaf said:

“I warmly welcome this move by the Co-operative Group. These settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law, and the Co-op has shown that they are no longer willing to provide settlers with financial support through trade. Their support for the Palestinians living under occupation in the West Bank should be congratulated.

“The Co-operative’s actions show support for the Palestinians who are living and working there, who are enduring increased violence at the hands of settlers. The work the Co-operative Group are doing to increase trade links with Palestinian businesses in the Occupied Territories should also be commended.

“The Co-operative Group has a long history of ethical trading and I am pleased that they are taking the lead in supporting Palestinians in the West Bank. I encourage other supermarkets to follow their example.

Notes to Editors:

The text of Humza Yousaf’s motion is below:

Co-op Boycott of Israeli Settlement Goods

S4M-02791 Humza Yousaf () (Scottish National Party): That the Parliament congratulates the Co-operative Group, one of the five largest food retailers in the UK, on ending trade with companies that export produce from Israeli settlements in the West Bank; understands that it is the first major European supermarket group to do so; notes that, under international law, these settlements, which are in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, are illegal; believes that they have a detrimental impact on the daily lives of Palestinians; understands that the Palestinians are enduring increased violence at the hands of settlers; notes that the Co-op has stressed that this is a boycott of produce sourced from illegal Israeli settlements and not of all Israeli goods, and encourages other retailers to take similar action and boycott goods from the settlements.