Finnish civil society organisations declare an economic consumer boycott of Israel

More than 20 years ago, Palestinian civil society issued the BDS call, demanding boycotts, divestment and sanctions until Israel ends its occupation and colonisation, grants equality to Palestinian citizens of Israel, and upholds the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes. Sumud supports this Palestinian-led call for boycott and its demands.

Now, Finnish civil society organisations have also joined forces to call for a consumer boycott of Israel.

The organisations consider that Finland and the European Union have failed to respond adequately to Israel’s appalling human rights violations against Palestinians. As policymakers have failed to take action against Israel’s crimes, the organisations have declared a consumer boycott of Israel on 27 October 2026.

The organisations call on consumers to boycott products and services produced wholly or partly in Israel and its illegal settlements. Products essential to health are exempt from the boycott.

The organisations call on companies and investors to exercise enhanced due diligence and responsibly withdraw from business activities in Israel and its illegal settlements.

The consumer boycott is being declared at a time when Israel has killed at least 74,000 Palestinians in Gaza (and the actual number is likely to be much higher), including at least 22,000 children.

“It is incomprehensible that trade with Israel continues as usual while Israel continues its occupation and apartheid and commits genocide. As states continue to support Israel’s crimes, it is important for civil society and consumers to make it clear that this must stop,” says Lina Jarallah, Vice-Chair of Sumud.

International human rights treaties and the laws of war were established in the aftermath of the horrors of the Second World War to ensure that they would never happen again. Under these agreements, states have an obligation to respond to violations of international law and prevent genocide.

The consumer boycott campaign launched today is one way of increasing pressure on Israel. However, the need for boycotts does not end when the objectives of an individual campaign are achieved, but only when the rights of Palestinians are fully realised.