Consumer boycott widens to include Israeli dates as Muslims in Malaysia, Indonesia observe Ramadan

Now Israeli dates, a sweet fruit eaten to break fast during Ramadan, are in the cross hairs of a consumer campaign which is flying across Malaysian and Indonesian chat groups over fears Israeli dates are being sold to unwitting buyers in the Muslim nations.

A Malaysian minister on Thursday warned “strict action” would be taken against people who “mislead consumers” after a man was detained in a raid on a warehouse in Klang Port, Selangor.

“During the raid, officers confiscated 73 packs of jumbo medjool dates believed to have come from Israel,” Armizan Mohd Ali, minister in charge of domestic trade and cost of living told parliament on Thursday, responding to questions.

“We view this issue seriously and will take strict action against those who mislead consumers,” he said.

Customs officials on Wednesday said the dates were bulk-imported along with other food items from European countries in 2022, according to local news reports.

The dates were declared as “foodstuff” and later repackaged for sale on the local market, customs deputy director general Datuk Sazali Mohamad said.

Malaysia has long maintained strict trade sanctions on Israel. Any import or export between the two countries can only be carried out with a special permit from the ministry of investment, trade and industry.

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In the weeks ahead of Ramadan, Malaysian social media was awash with posts urging Muslims to be wary of unknowingly buying dates from Israel, listing 32 brands which have allegedly flooded the local market.

“Be careful, everyone! Pay attention to everything we buy in our daily lives, continue the boycott of products from companies that are enriching Israel,”