Editorial: Israel grips my supermarket trolley

I haven’t had McDonald’s in a year.  

But I have had Subway, Oreos, Cadbury Chocolate, Doritos, Ben and Jerry’s, and maybe a slice of a friend’s Pizza Hut.  

All of these are brands on the boycott list — brands with perceived support for Israel and their genocidal war on Palestinians.  

Fast food and cheap snacks have become such a normal part of modern eating. But after doing my best to boycott every brand on the list, I find myself struggling to even remember them all.  

At a time when Palestinians are dealing with war, I can’t complain about having to cut out some foods.  

But Israel’s hold on not only Palestine but the world is so strong that even the most passionate activists can’t avoid the tight grip.  

Until more recently, Israel is one of the best countries for these companies to invest it. Israel’s known for its advancements in food technology and startups.  

The successful food technology sector gives businesses access to new research and development in the food industry. But it also makes them complicit in genocide. Oreo, for example, has invested in snack food startups, which could give them access to new product ideas. 

In 2023, Israeli startups in the agrifood sector raised $300 million in capital according to The Times of Israel. But as people avoid brands spending their money this way, investments are dropping. In 2024, food technology startups in Israel received a lower $134 million, according to Statista. 

Last year, Startup Nation Central reported that investments in Israeli startups had fallen by 60% since October 2023.  

Not only this, but thousands of Israeli army reserves, including those working in startups, have been pulled in for duty on the front lines. Two weeks ago, the Israel Government approved a bill allowing the military to use an extra 400,000 reserve soldiers as negotiations for a ceasefire are delayed.

On January 15th, a ceasefire was announced. This was based on a three-stage plan presented by former US President Joe Biden. However, stage one expired on March 1st. The next day, Israel stopped supplies being allowed into Gaza territory. The ceasefire plan states that Gaza will be rebuilt over three to five years. However, we know it will take much more than this. The destruction is irreparable.  

Boycotting companies does have an impact on Israeli investment. And I don’t want the same businesses putting food in front of Israeli soldiers, putting food in front of me.  

But this is not a problem we can solve as individual consumers. Ending a genocide that has lasted almost 80 years lies in the blood-ridden hands of the ones feeding it.  

When I see the streets of Gaza built up again, Israel’s grip on my supermarket trolley will loosen, and I can rebuild the contents.