In a global landscape deeply affected by geopolitical sensitivities and humanitarian concerns, consumers are increasingly aware of the ethical implications of corporate associations.
This comprehensive breakdown highlights specific companies and their affiliations in the context of geopolitical controversies, inviting individuals to consider these affiliations when making their consumer choices.
1. Aero
Nestle owns Aero, and Nestle holds a significant stake in Osem, an Israeli food manufacturer operating in Occupied Palestine. Avoid Aero products and Nestle brands until they disassociate from operations in Occupied Palestine, especially steering clear of Osem-associated brands like Sabra.
2. Ben & Jerry’s
Owned by Unilever, Ben & Jerry’s chose to halt sales in Israel, prompting Unilever to circumvent the decision by selling Israeli distribution rights to Avi Zinger. Avoid Ben & Jerry’s products and reconsider associations with Unilever.
3. Burger King
Burger King Israel supports the IDF by providing free food and drinks to Israeli militants. Avoid eating at Burger King to withhold support.
4. Buxton
Another Nestle-owned brand, Buxton, is associated with Osem, operating in Occupied Palestine. Steer clear of Buxton and Nestle brands, especially those associated with Osem, like Sabra.
5. Carnation
Carnation, owned by Nestle and linked to Osem, operates in Occupied Palestine. Avoid Carnation products and reconsider Nestle purchases until they divest from activities in the region.
6. Carrefour
This international supermarket made substantial investments in Israel, opening and planning to open more stores. Avoid shopping at Carrefour stores to refrain from supporting their expansion in Israel.
7. Carte D’Or Ice Creams
Like Ben & Jerry’s, Carte D’Or Ice Creams are owned by Unilever. The action to continue selling in Israel via Avi Zinger’s rights circumvented the Ben & Jerry’s decision. Avoid Carte D’Or Ice Creams products and reassess support for Unilever.
8. Cheerios
Owned by Nestle, Cheerios’ association with Osem’s operations in Occupied Palestine raises ethical concerns. Refrain from buying Cheerios products and Nestle brands linked with Osem activities in the region.
9. Cheetos
Owned by PepsiCo, Cheetos’ parent company has been involved with SodaStream and Sabra, both linked to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Avoid buying, selling, or working for PepsiCo, the parent company.
10. Cornetto Ice Creams
A Unilever brand like Ben & Jerry’s, Cornetto Ice Creams became part of the controversy by being sold in Israel despite Ben & Jerry’s decision. Avoid Cornetto Ice Creams products and reconsider ties with Unilever.
See Also: Insurance Providers with Israel Ties: Companies on the List to Boycott
11. Doritos
Owned by PepsiCo, Doritos’ parent company has been involved with SodaStream and Sabra, both linked to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Avoid purchasing, selling, or affiliating with Doritos and PepsiCo.
12. Felix
Nestle owns Felix, which has a substantial connection to Osem, an Israeli food manufacturer operating in Occupied Palestine. Avoid Felix and Nestle products until they disassociate from activities in the region, especially Osem-associated brands like Sabra.
13. Hellman’s
A Unilever-owned brand, Hellman’s faced similar issues as Ben & Jerry’s, with Unilever selling Israeli distribution rights to circumvent Ben & Jerry’s decision. Avoid buying, selling, or working for Hellman’s and reassess connections with Unilever.
14. KFC
Yum Brands, the parent company of KFC, is an investor in Israeli startups. Avoid eating or working at KFC restaurants.
15. KitKat
Like other Nestle products, KitKat is associated with Osem, a company operating in Occupied Palestine. Avoid buying KitKat and Nestle products, especially those associated with Osem, like Sabra.
16. Knorr
Also owned by Unilever, Knorr faced a similar controversy when Unilever sold Israeli distribution rights to circumvent Ben & Jerry’s decision. Avoid purchasing, selling, or working for Knorr and reconsider connections with Unilever.
17. Lay’s
Owned by PepsiCo, Lay’s is affiliated with SodaStream and Sabra, connected to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Avoid purchasing, selling, or affiliating with Lay’s and PepsiCo.
18. Lion
Nestle’s breakfast cereal, Lion, is linked to Osem, an Israeli food manufacturer operating in Occupied Palestine. Avoid buying Lion and Nestle products until they disassociate from activities in the region, especially Osem-associated brands like Sabra.
19. Maggi
Similar to other Nestle products, Maggi has ties to Osem, operating in Occupied Palestine. Avoid buying Maggi and Nestle products until they distance themselves from activities in the region, especially Osem-associated brands like Sabra.
20. Magnum Ice Creams
Another Unilever brand like Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum Ice Creams faced the circumvention of the Ben & Jerry’s decision by selling off Israeli distribution rights. Avoid buying, selling, or working for Magnum Ice Creams and reconsider connections with Unilever.
21. Marks and Spencer / M&S
The multinational retailer has a long history of association with Zionism. While publicly distancing from political ties in recent times, determining its current stance on Israel is challenging since the last statements in support were around 2000. It’s recommended not to shop at M&S or work for the company.
22. McDonald’s
McDonald’s Israel has been reported to support the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) by offering free food and drinks to Israeli militants. It’s advisable not to eat at McDonald’s or seek employment there.
23. Milkybar
Owned by Nestle, the brand has connections to Osem, an Israeli food manufacturer operating in Occupied Palestine. Avoid buying Cheerios and other Nestle products until they distance themselves from operations in the region, especially Osem-associated brands like Sabra.
24. Mondelez
The international snack company invests in Israeli startups in Occupied Palestine. Avoid buying, selling, or working for Mondelez.
25. Movenpick
Another Nestle-owned brand, Movenpick is linked to Osem, which operates in Occupied Palestine. Avoid purchasing Movenpick and other Nestle products until they disassociate from activities in the region, especially Osem-associated brands like Sabra.
26. Nesquik
Like other Nestle products, Nesquik is affiliated with Osem, an Israeli food manufacturer operating in Occupied Palestine. It’s suggested not to buy Nesquik or Nestle products, especially those associated with Osem like Sabra.
27. Nestle
As the largest public food company globally, Nestle owns a controlling stake in Osem, which operates in Occupied Palestine. Until they disengage from activities in the region, avoiding Nestle products, especially those associated with Osem like Sabra, is recommended.
28. Opentable
Owned by Booking Holdings, Opentable initially planned to label properties in occupied territories but reversed the decision under pressure from Israel. It’s suggested to avoid using Opentable, book directly with restaurants, and avoid listing services on Opentable, and reconsider working for Booking Holdings.
See Also: Healthcare: Companies Tied to Israel’s Support
29. Pepsi
PepsiCo, the soft drinks manufacturer, owns SodaStream and 50% of Sabra, which have taken advantage of the Israeli occupation of Palestine. It’s advised not to buy or sell PepsiCo products or work for the company.
30. Perrier
Another Nestle-owned brand, Perrier has ties to Osem, operating in Occupied Palestine. It’s advisable to avoid buying Perrier and other Nestle products until they disengage from activities in the region, especially Osem-associated brands like Sabra.
31. Pizza Hut
As a fast-food chain under the parent company Yum Brands, Pizza Hut’s parent company has investments in Israeli startups. It’s recommended not to consume food from Pizza Hut restaurants and not to work for the company.
32. Popeyes
Popeyes, an international fast-food chain, is affiliated with Burger King, which supports the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) by offering free food and drinks to Israeli militants. It’s advisable not to dine at Popeyes restaurants or seek employment there.
33. Procter & Gamble
The American multinational consumer goods corporation, Procter & Gamble, has opened an R&D center in Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, with an annual investment of $2 billion. To show your stance, refrain from buying or selling P&G products and from working for the company.
34. Purina
Nestle owns the pet food brand Purina and has a controlling stake in Osem, an Israeli food manufacturer operating in Occupied Palestine. It’s suggested not to buy Purina products and to avoid Nestle products until they disengage from activities in the region, particularly Osem-associated brands like Sabra.
35. Quaker Oats
The owner of Quaker Oats, PepsiCo, purchased SodaStream for $3.2 billion and owns 50% of Sabra, both of which have taken advantage of the Israeli occupation of Palestine. It’s advised not to buy or sell Quaker Oats products and to avoid working for PepsiCo.
36. Quality Street
Quality Street, a confectionery brand owned by Nestle, is connected to Osem, an Israeli food manufacturer operating in Occupied Palestine. Avoid purchasing Quality Street products and consider avoiding Nestle products until they disengage from activities in the region, especially Osem-associated brands like Sabra.
37. Sabra
Nestle, the largest public food company globally, has a controlling stake in Osem, which operates in Occupied Palestine. It is recommended to avoid Nestle products until they divest from operations in the region, especially Osem-associated brands like Sabra Salads.
38. Sadaf Foods
Sadaf Foods, a food exporter and wholesaler, sources produce from Occupied Palestine. Make an informed choice not to buy or sell Sadaf products and encourage your local store not to stock Sadaf products.
39. Shredded Wheat
Shredded Wheat, a breakfast cereal owned by Nestle, is connected to Osem, an Israeli food manufacturer operating in Occupied Palestine. Avoid buying Shredded Wheat products and consider avoiding Nestle products until they disengage from activities in the region, especially Osem-associated brands like Sabra.
40. Shreddies
Shreddies, another breakfast cereal owned by Nestle, is linked to Osem, an Israeli food manufacturer operating in Occupied Palestine. It’s suggested not to buy Shreddies products and to consider avoiding Nestle products until they disengage from activities in the region, especially Osem-associated brands like Sabra.
41. Smarties
Nestle owns the chocolate snack Smarties and holds a controlling stake in Osem, an Israeli food manufacturer operating in Occupied Palestine. To express a stance on this issue, it’s advised not to purchase Smarties products and to avoid Nestle products until they disengage from activities in the region, particularly Osem-associated brands such as Sabra.
42. Taco Bell
As part of the international fast-food chain, Taco Bell falls under the parent company Yum Brands, which is involved as an investor in Israeli startups. It’s recommended to refrain from consuming food from Taco Bell restaurants and to avoid working for the company.
43. Tesco
The British multinational retailer Tesco is collaborating with an Israeli start-up, Trigo Retail, to introduce till-less stores, some of which are already established in London. The CEO of Trigo, Michael Gabay, is a staunch Zionist. Avoid purchasing Tesco products, particularly from their GetGo stores, and advocate for pressure on Tesco to discontinue its partnership with Trigo and opt for a local partner instead.
44. Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons, an international coffee and donut chain, is affiliated with Burger King, which supports the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) by providing free food and drinks to Israeli militants. To take a stance, avoid buying food or coffee from Tim Hortons and refrain from seeking employment with the company.
45. Unilever
Unilever, a major nutrition, healthcare, and personal care product manufacturer and distributor, owns Ben & Jerry’s. When Ben & Jerry’s chose to stop selling its products in Israel, Unilever circumvented this decision by selling the Israeli distribution rights to Avi Zinger, thereby continuing sales in Israel. Consider not purchasing or selling Unilever products in light of these actions.
46. Walker’s
PepsiCo, the owner of Walker’s, acquired SodaStream for $3.2 billion and holds a 50% ownership of Sabra, both associated with benefiting from the Israeli occupation of Palestine. It’s suggested not to buy or sell Walker’s products and avoid working for the PepsiCo company.
47. Walls Ice Creams
Owned by Unilever, Wall’s Ice Creams, like Ben & Jerry’s, saw Unilever sell Israeli distribution rights to Avi Zinger to ensure the continued sale of the brand in Israel. It’s recommended not to buy or sell Wall’s Ice Creams and to refrain from working for Unilever.
48. Walmart
The American multinational retail corporation Walmart promptly donated $1 million to Israeli victims and criticized Hamas but did not contribute to charities aiding victims of Israel’s actions in Gaza. To express a stance, avoid shopping at Walmart and refrain from employment with the company.
49. Yum Foods
Yum Brands, an international fast-food franchise owner, has investments in Israeli startups. It’s advisable not to consume food from Yum Brands restaurants and to abstain from seeking employment within the company.
As consumers navigate their choices in a complex and interconnected world, the associations and activities of multinational corporations matter. Each purchase becomes a statement, conveying support or disapproval of specific actions.
By considering and potentially adjusting consumption habits and choices, individuals have the capacity to shape the ethical stance of businesses, urging accountability, and aligning their spending with their values and principles.
