Companies Vegans Should Boycott for Palestine
Being an ethical consumer and boycotting brands goes hand in hand with being vegan. After all, isn’t our whole lifestyle rooted in boycotting animal products? So, when we feel powerless in the face of events in Palestine, many of us naturally turn to boycotts as a form of protest—to align our actions with our values. For vegans, the thought of supporting companies that misalign so badly with our principles is unbearable.
Over the past year, I’ve discovered links between some brands—many of which are marketed to vegan or eco-conscious consumers—and their ties to Israel, even the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). I’ve grouped them together here to explain why I’ve started avoiding them in support of Palestine. Hope this helps you with your ethical choices!
Redefine Meat
This Israeli company produces plant-based meat alternatives using 3D printing technology. While that might sound innovative, their actions are anything but ethical. They’ve been providing vegan soldiers in the IDF with plant-based meals, essentially fuelling the oppression of Palestinians.
- Omer Tal, head chef and culinary consultant for Redefine Meat, proudly announced on Facebook his plans to feed soldiers in the south, receiving an outpouring of support from volunteers eager to assist. Redefine Meat supplied a staggering three tons of plant-based meat products, including beef and lamb alternatives, to fuel the Israeli military’s operations. The Jerusalem Post
By feeding the IDF, they’re directly enabling the mass murder of Palestinians. This is why I’ve made the decision to avoid Redefine Meat entirely. I’ve turned down numerous restaurant invites to try out Redefine Meat on their menus, and let them know exactly why I’m refusing and encouraged them to think twice about using this brand for their vegan meals.
Vegan Friendly
You may have seen the Vegan Friendly logo in vegan restaurants or on products around the world, including in London. This label is from an Israeli organisation that certifies vegan-friendly restaurants and businesses, but behind the scenes, it has been feeding vegan soldiers in the IDF. Soldiers who have gone on to kill over 40,000 Palestinians.
- ‘An army fights on its stomach and all our soldiers must be healthy,’ says CEO of Vegan Friendly, which has been dispatching 2,000 meals per day – The Times of Israel
I hope vegan restaurants displaying this logo will reconsider, especially if they understand the harm caused.
Organic Basics
Organic Basics is a sustainable Danish brand loved by many ethical consumers, but what’s less known is that they were acquired in 2022 by Delta Galil, an Israeli textile firm. Delta Galil has been criticised for its activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, and it’s one of Israel’s largest manufacturers and marketers of textiles. Beyond that, many customers noticed changes in price and quality after the acquisition that had them questioning the brands ethics.
If you want to avoid supporting Delta Galil indirectly, it’s worth reconsidering purchases from Organic Basics. For more information, this resource lists other brands tied to Delta Galil.
Garnier
Garnier might be certified cruelty-free and have many vegan products, but let’s not forget they’re owned by L’Oréal, a company with ties to Israel. While Garnier can seem like an easy, accessible option, I encourage you to support other vegan beauty brands when possible.
Alpro
Alpro is a household name in vegan alternatives, but it’s worth noting that their parent company, Danone, invests millions into the Israeli food tech sector. This connection is troubling for many, as Alpro products are often a staple for vegans. If you have access to other plant-based brands, switching away from Alpro can be a meaningful way to align your purchases with your values.
I’m embarrassed to admit that I haven’t managed to boycott it fully yet. There are so many situations—whether it’s grabbing something from the corner shop or being at a friend’s house—where Alpro is the only dairy-free option available. That said, I do make the switch when I can (probably around 80-90% of the time), and I remind myself that’s better than nothing. Doing your best is always better than doing nothing, so don’t let perfectionism stop you from making small changes where possible!
Final Thoughts
Boycotting is a powerful way to live in alignment with our values and protest injustice. As vegans, we’re already familiar with rejecting industries that exploit animals—extending this ethos to companies linked to harm in Palestine feels like a natural step.
That said, I know we all have different access and availability to alternatives. These choices aren’t always easy, and they can take time. Ultimately, the goal is to support companies that align with your values whenever possible.
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