British Quakers have recommended a boycott of goods produced by Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The decision was made after lengthy discussion and discernment by Meeting for Sufferings (MfS), the central committee of Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM), the formal organisation of Quakers in England, Scotland and Wales.
MfS reached their conclusion on Saturday. The decision was influenced by the support for a boycott offered by several Jewish and Israeli peace groups.

BYM emphasise that they are not recommending a boycott of Israeli goods generally, but only of settlement goods in the occupied territories. These settlements have been repeatedly condemned as illegal by the United Nations.

Saturday’s meeting concluded that ‘it would be wrong to support the illegal settlements by purchasing their goods. We therefore ask Friends throughout Britain Yearly Meeting to boycott settlement goods, until such time as the occupation is ended.’

The minute stressed that this ‘nonviolent action’ is supported ‘not as punishment or revenge, but as an external pressure to achieve change’.

MfS acknowledged that not all Quakers will go along with the boycott. ‘Friends have different views and we must treat one another tenderly,’ declared the minute.

The call for a boycott is likely to trigger controversy. After the Methodist Church made a similar decision last year, the denomination’s representatives received hate mail and were very strongly criticised by parts of the press.

British Friends administer the UK section of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). This scheme, run by the World Council of Churches, provides accompaniers to monitor and support human rights.

‘We pray fervently for both Israelis and Palestinians, keeping them together in our hearts,’ declared the MfS minute. ‘We hope they will find an end to their fears and the beginning of their mutual co-existence based on a just peace. And so we look forward to the end of the occupation and the end of the international boycott.’