As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, Muslims around the world prepare to break their fast with dates, a tradition deeply rooted in Islamic history and Sunnah. However, many of the Medjool dates available in global markets are directly linked to Israeli settlements, cultivated on illegally occupied Palestinian land, irrigated with stolen Palestinian water, and produced through the exploitation of Palestinian labor.
It is crucial that we remain vigilant and boycott Israeli dates that contribute to the oppression of Palestinians and the theft of their land. Israeli companies often try to disguise their products, misleading consumers by mislabeling their origins to bypass ethical scrutiny. This Ramadan, we must stand in solidarity with Palestine by ensuring that our purchases do not fuel the ongoing occupation and apartheid.
How the Israeli Date Industry Profits from Occupation
✅ Illegal Settlements & Stolen Land – Nearly 40% of Israeli dates come from illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. These settlements displace Palestinian communities, seizing their farmland and resources for profit.
✅ Exploitation of Palestinian Workers – Many Palestinian laborers, including children, are forced to work under harsh conditions for extremely low wages in Israeli date farms.
✅ Water Theft & Environmental Destruction – Palestinian agricultural land is deprived of its water as Israeli companies steal water from West Bank aquifers to irrigate their date plantations, leaving many Palestinian farmers without sufficient water for their own crops.
✅ Mislabeling & Deceptive Marketing – Israeli companies frequently mislabel their products, marketing them as “Produce of Palestine” or removing the country of origin entirely to deceive Muslim consumers.
List of Israeli Date Brands to Boycott
To ensure you are not unknowingly supporting the illegal occupation of Palestine, avoid purchasing dates from the following brands:
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- Mehadrin
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- Sincerely Nuts
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- Anna Sarah
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- Medjool PlusMP
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- Urban Platter
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- King Solomon Dates
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- Hadiklaim
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- Food to Live
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- Jordan River Dates
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- Paradise Dates
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- Edeka
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- Carmel Agrexco
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- Galilee Dates
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- Ventura Dates
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- Star Dates
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- Delilah Dates
Before purchasing any dates, always check the label and verify the brand to ensure it does not originate from Israeli settlements.
How You Can Take Action
1️⃣ Educate Others – Share this information with family, friends, and your local community. Many Muslims may not be aware that the dates they purchase fund the Israeli occupation.
2️⃣ Speak to Your Local Grocery Store – Ask your local grocery store or shopkeeper to stop stocking Israeli dates and instead source Palestinian-owned brands.
3️⃣ Look for Ethical Alternatives – Purchase dates from Palestinian farmers, who rely on ethical trade to sustain their livelihoods under the harsh realities of occupation.
4️⃣ Join the Conversation Online – Use the hashtag #CheckTheDate on social media to raise awareness and encourage others to boycott Israeli dates.
A Call to Action: Make Your Ramadan Purchases Meaningful
Ramadan is a time of reflection, solidarity, and standing for justice. As we prepare to break our fast each evening, let us ensure that the dates on our tables do not come at the expense of Palestinian land, water, and labor.
By boycotting Israeli dates, we take a powerful stand against the occupation and oppression of Palestine. Every purchase is a choice, and together, we can make a difference.
This Ramadan, choose justice. Choose Palestine. #CheckTheDate.
