Park Slope Food Co-op Votes to Boycott Israeli Products After Contentious Meeting
Park Slope Food Co-op members overwhelmingly approve a boycott of Israeli products by a 2-to-1 margin following years of bitter internal debate.
Members of the Park Slope Food Co-op overwhelmingly approved a boycott of certain Israeli-made products Tuesday night, capping years of bitter debate that has deeply divided the iconic Brooklyn cooperative.
In a three-hour virtual general meeting attended by roughly 7,000 of the co-op’s approximately 17,000 members, 67% voted in favor of the boycott, 31% opposed it, and 2% abstained. The measure passed by more than a 2-to-1 margin.
The resolution calls for the co-op to stop selling goods produced in Israel (within pre-1967 borders) or in Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria “until Israel complies with international law” in its treatment of Palestinians. It affects a limited number of items, roughly 9 to 12 products, including certain brands of tahini, peppers, persimmons, olive oil, hummus, matzah, Bamba snacks, and hair care products. The vast majority of the co-op’s inventory remains unaffected.
Supporters framed the boycott as consistent with the co-op’s long history of social justice actions, including past boycotts of apartheid South Africa and other regimes. “Our Coop has a long and proud tradition of over 20 boycotts,” the proposal stated.
Opponents, including many Jewish members and local leaders, condemned the move as divisive, ineffective, and antisemitic, arguing it singles out Israel and aligns with the broader Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The vote came after the co-op first lowered the threshold for passing boycott measures from a 75% supermajority to a simple majority.
The meeting was held online amid reported threats and harassment, with security concerns prompting the format change. Tensions had escalated in recent weeks, with dueling protest tables outside the co-op and heated internal campaigning.
The Park Slope Food Co-op, a member-owned institution known for its progressive values and worker participation requirements, has long served as a symbol of Brooklyn’s liberal ethos. The controversy has drawn national attention and statements from local politicians, including Rep. Dan Goldman and former NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, who opposed the boycott.
Implementation details are expected in the coming weeks. Co-op leadership has not yet issued a full official statement on next steps.
This remains a localized decision at one Brooklyn grocery cooperative and does not affect other stores or city policy.