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BDS at the Coop: Stop Targeting Israel's Products & Supporters
www.change.orgHere’s the latest I can share based on recent reporting:
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There has been significant activity around the Park Slope Food Coop (PSFC) and Israel-related boycott discussions. A major development reported by CBS New York indicates that PSFC members voted against holding a referendum on boycotting Israeli products. The vote result showed more than 1,600 ballots cast, with a majority defeating the idea of a referendum (653 in favor of a boycott referendum, over 1,000 against). This suggests the co-op did not adopt a formal boycott referendum at that time, though debates and activism around Israel-related topics have persisted in PSFC circles.[1]
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Coverage from other outlets over the years shows ongoing contention around BDS and Israel-related issues at PSFC, including incidents of controversy and organizational debates about how to handle divestment or boycott discussions. For example, reporting from JTA in 2024 highlighted internal disputes and concerns about antisemitism and Israel-related discussions at the co-op, reflecting a broader, sustained controversy within the membership. Additionally, the 2025 reporting references a contentious election at PSFC tied to the potential for an Israeli goods boycott, indicating the issue remained a live topic among members.[5][7]
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For historical context, PSFC has a long-running pattern of debate around Israeli goods and BDS-related topics, with past voter actions on specific boycott proposals (such as Sodastream-related debates in 2016) illustrating how the co-op has navigated these questions over time.[10]
What this means for you
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If you’re interested in the current status of PSFC’s stance on Israeli products or any ongoing boycott advocacy, the most reliable signal is whether the co-op has scheduled a formal vote or referendum and what the latest membership actions are. The most recent prominent public outcome indicates a vote against a referendum rather than a formal boycott being sanctioned by the coop’s governance at that time.[1]
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For a broader sense of the environment and member attitudes, several outlets in 2024–2025 highlighted divisions and concerns around antisemitism, safety, and inclusion within the co-op related to Israel-related discussions, underscoring that conversations remain contentious and sensitive in this community.[7]
If you’d like, I can:
- Pull up the exact text and date of the CBS New York piece to confirm the vote details.
- Compile a narrower timeline of PSFC’s Israel-related actions and votes from 2016 to 2026.
- Search for any more recent developments beyond May 2026 to capture the latest status.
Please tell me which of these you’d prefer, or if you want me to focus on a specific aspect (e.g., recent votes, member reactions, or policy changes).
Citations:
- Park Slope Food Coop Votes Down Boycott Of Israeli Products[1]
- A BDS discussion deeply divides the utopian Park Slope Food Coop[7]
- At Park Slope Food Coop, a contentious election could lead to Israeli goods boycott[5]
- Park Slope Food Coop holds vote aimed at staunching boycott of Sodastream[10]