by InTrieste
One of Italy’s largest supermarket cooperatives, Coop Alleanza 3.0, has removed Israeli products from its shelves in what it described as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian people amid ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement issued this week, the cooperative said it could not “remain indifferent in the face of the violence underway in the Gaza Strip” and criticized the blocking of humanitarian aid destined for civilians in the region.
The company, which is part of the Coop Italia consortium and operates 350 stores across eight Italian regions, said it had withdrawn several Israeli-produced items, including peanut and tahini sauces as well as Sodastream-branded products.
At the same time, Coop Alleanza 3.0 has introduced Gaza Cola, a soft drink brand produced by a Palestinian company. The cooperative said that proceeds from the beverage will go toward rebuilding al-Karama Hospital in Gaza.
Operating in regions such as Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Lombardia, Emilia-Romagna, Marche, Abruzzo, Puglia, and Basilicata, Coop Alleanza 3.0 is Italy’s largest consumer cooperative by number of members and stores.
The move has drawn both praise and criticism online, with some commending the chain for taking a stand on humanitarian grounds, while others have questioned the politicization of consumer goods in a retail setting.
Israeli officials have not publicly responded to the announcement.
