26 elected cooperative representatives want to ban the sale of settlement products in S Group stores

26 representatives from all over Finland, who want to ban the sale of products from illegal Israeli settlements in S Group stores, were elected to the representative councils of cooperative stores. One fifth of the HOK-Elanto representatives are in favour of banning products from the settlements.

To ten S Group cooperatives a new board of representatives has been elected in spring 2024. Almost 200 candidates from all over Finland signed the election pledge of Sumud – The Finnish Palestine Network, in which they committed to promoting a ban on the sale of products from illegal Israeli settlements in S Group stores. Candidates committed to the pledge were elected to the representative bodies of HOK-elanto, Maakunta, Pirkanmaa, PKO, SSO and TOK. Of the 60 members of the HOK-elanto delegation, 12 want to ban the sale of settlement products.

Kesko has taken a clear position on the ban on settlement products in its selection. Alko announced in November 2023 that it would stop selling wine from Israeli settlements. S Group currently does not have any products from the settlements in its selection, but there is no clear policy.

“A policy would ensure that products from illegal settlements stay off S Group’s shelves,” says Eero Yli-Vakkuri, who is coordinating the campaign.

EU and Finland have condemned Israeli settlements but allow illegal imports

Israel has established settlements in the territories it occupies, to which it has transferred its own civilian population. This is in violation of international law. The European Union and Finland have condemned Israel’s illegal settlements and do not consider them part of Israel. Israel produces, among other things, food and cosmetics in the occupied West Bank and the Golan Heights.

Business in the settlements inevitably supports human rights violations, as Human Rights Watch has stated. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have pointed out that the import of settlement goods is against international law because it supports illegal activities, and have called on states to ban it. However, neither the EU nor Finland have done so.

“How can Finland still sell products that are against international law?” asks Noora Dadu, Chair of Sumud.

“Many Finns want to see an end to violence against civilians and human rights abuses, but accidentally buy products that support illegal settlements and the continuation of an illegal, violent occupation. We call on importers and retailers to act responsibly and stop selling settlement products immediately.”

The cooperative elections provide an opportunity for Finns to sharpen their understanding of what human rights and international law mean. Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the Golan Heights are unequivocally against international law. Imports from these areas must be stopped because they contribute to human rights violations.

The representatives committed to Sumud’s election pledge in different representative councils:

HOK: 

Erkki Tuomioja 

Veronika Honkasalo

Shawn Huff 

Outi Alanko-Kahiluoto 

Mai Kivelä 

Annamari Värtö

Pia Lohikoski 

Peppi Seppälä 

Suvi Julkinen

Taru Salovaara

Alviina Alametsä 

Essi Eloholma-Tuura 

TOK:

Jukka Kärkkäinen

Mikaela Sundqvist

Alisa Wahlsten

Johannes Yrttiaho

Viivu Seila

Pirkanmaa

Hely Hollo

Saara Mustakallio

Petra Packalén

Jukka Peltokoski

Ilkka Porttikivi

Anu Ropponen

Maakunta:

Noora Kyllönen

PKO

Hannu Vähäkoski

SSO

Kalle Alanko