Coffee shop chain Pret has pulled out of its planned investment in Israel, with media sources citing the threat of a boycott campaign by Palestine solidarity activists.
In 2022 UK coffee chain Pret signed a franchise agreement with Israeli conglomerate Fox Group and restaurant operator Yarzin Sella to open 40 stores in Israel over the next decade. Activists and branches of Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) had begun to call for a boycott of Pret arguing that to invest in Israel as it conducts a genocide in Gaza and operates a system of apartheid over all Palestinians was unjustifiable and reprehensible.
It’s now been reported that Pret has gone back on this agreement, worth millions of pounds, and will not open Pret stores in Israel. The boycott campaign that had begun against Pret has forced it to reconsider and reverse a major business decision.
Israel is the subject of a global, Palestinian-led boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement to force an end to its regime of settler-colonialism, military occupation and apartheid against Palestinians. Pret is the latest in a long line of companies withdrawing from, or reversing plans, to invest in Israel leading to financial and political isolation in much the same way as South Africa under the apartheid regime.
Ben Jamal, Director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign, says:
“This decision sends a message to all companies – if you provide support for Israel’s apartheid and genocide against Palestinians, you will face the strength of our movement who will boycott your products and protest at your stores. Israel has got away with crimes against humanity for too long. The people of the world are holding Israel to account by refusing to let their spending or saving finance war crimes. It’s high time our political leaders followed suit by ending arms sales, and financial and diplomatic support to Israel.”