Tesco worker refuses to sell Israeli products

Pro-Palestine campaigners have turned up in their hundreds to a Tesco branch in the small County Down seaside town of Newcastle, protesting disciplinary action being taken against a worker who refused to assist in the sale of items from so-called ‘Israel’. The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, objected on the basis that the proceeds from such items go to fund the Zionist entity’s genocidal onslaught against the Palestinian people.

The action from Tesco management had first been highlighted in a post on the social media page of local activist group Mourne for Palestine, whose name is a play on words using the name of a notable nearby mountain range. Alongside the statement can be found more wordplay, with Tesco’s slogan remixed to say “Every little helps genocide”. The group said:

To be forced to take money for goods funding genocide, which is in part by starvation, under the threat of disciplinary action, is unconscionable. This pressure would affect the mental health and wellbeing of any moral-minded person. All retail workers have the right to decline to handle these tainted items.

Unions turn out in force to back Tesco worker’s refusal to sell Israeli products

Today’s protest was organised by direct action group BDS Belfast, with activists pouring in from across Ireland, recognising the significance of a worker taking such a stand. A strong union presence was visible, with representatives from Unison, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), and union-linked solidarity group Trade Union Friends of Palestine among those in attendance. The action from the worker represents the most noteworthy instance of this form of defiance in the North of Ireland since the Zionist settler-colony began its campaign of mass murder over two years ago.

In a statement read by IWW member Julia Rojo, the persecuted employee said:

Tesco says, and I quote, that “customers still expect us to serve them well.

However, they also recognise that we are part of society and can make a positive difference! Contributing to their wider world too.

We champion what matters to our colleagues and customers. Caring about the communities where they live and our planet. I’m a colleague, I’m a member of the community, I’m a customer and I care about our planet!

That is why I decided to act on my conscience. I call upon Tesco to do the same. Stop handling Israeli goods!

Rojo also read a statement on behalf of the IWW in which she said:

We would like to extend our love and solidarity at this time with our fellow worker suspended for taking action, for speaking out NOT remaining silent at a time when the genocide is still continuing in Palestine.

She continued:

Without question, the trade union movement must not remain silent at this time. They must act now to extend its full support and solidarity for this fellow worker and endorse calls that they are immediately reinstated back to their post without restrictions or ramifications.

Today we have activists from throughout the country. From Derry to Dublin. We say to you to go back to your campaign groups and your trade union groups and echo the calls from here today. Let everyone know that An Injury To One Is Still An Injury To All!

Workers who opposed South African apartheid once again inspire

All speakers raised the example of the Dunnes Stores workers, who went on strike in 1984 after being instructed by their union IDATU not to handle items from apartheid South Africa. Their actions were instrumental in Ireland’s ultimate banning of imports from the racist state, which happened in 1987. Declan Owens from the Socialist Lawyers Association of Ireland also raised the origins of the term ‘boycott‘:

It was in Ireland that the word “boycott” was born—when tenant farmers in Mayo, refusing to accept exploitation any longer, collectively shunned the landlord’s agent, Captain Charles Boycott. Their action inspired a global strategy for justice: refusing complicity, withdrawing cooperation, and reclaiming collective power.

That same spirit lived again in 1984, when eleven young Dunnes Stores workers refused to handle goods from apartheid South Africa. For three long years they stood on Henry Street with only £21 a week, but with a moral clarity that eventually compelled the Irish government to ban apartheid goods. They helped turn the tide of international solidarity. They taught us that workers, not governments, often take the first and bravest steps toward justice.

Much of the crowd that had gathered outside for the speeches then proceeded to enter the Tesco superstore itself, walking through the aisles to chants of:

Tesco, Tesco you can’t hide! You’re supporting genocide!

BDS Belfast member Damian Quinn told shoppers:

It is absolutely horrendous what we are witnessing every single day [in Palestine], and what we can do as people is follow the BDS movement. We can understand where our money is going. We can understand how the genocide is occurring. It is occurring because of companies supporting Israel. Companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Teva [and] stores like this selling Israeli products.

What we can do as human beings is make sure we boycott all of those companies. We take our money out of all of those companies, and what you will find when you do that is that you start spending more locally. You start spending more locally on Irish and British farmers rather than Israeli farmers.

Shoppers cheer on protest action

Leaflets were distributed informing customers of the punitive action being taken against the long-serving employee at the shop, and a petition was also available for customers to sign in support. Its online version has attracted nearly 1,400 signatures in just over a week. Many shopping in the Tesco branch expressed support for the campaign, pumping their fist and shouting “Free Palestine”.

A date for the disciplinary hearing is yet to be arranged. The worker is a member of USDAW, who will provide representation on the day of proceedings.

Featured image via the Canary