Marks & Spencer Investigates Boycott Stickers on Israeli Potatoes in UK Store

British retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has launched an investigation after boycott stickers were found on packages of Israeli potatoes at one of its stores in Worthing, West Sussex. A customer noticed that a 1.5 kg pack of Maris Piper potatoes, labeled as originating from Israel, had a sticker in the colors of the Palestinian flag reading "Boycott Israeli Apartheid." The sticker also included the website of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, a prominent UK group promoting consumer boycotts of Israeli products.

The UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) reported the incident and contacted M&S CEO Stuart Machin, urging a thorough investigation. UKLFI warned that affixing such stickers could constitute illegal interference with trade under British law if intended to deter consumers and cause economic harm. They requested M&S to warn employees against similar attempts, especially targeting Israeli or kosher products, and to report any perpetrators to the police.

M&S responded that it conducts routine product checks and will instruct staff to be vigilant for any tampering. The store manager has begun investigating the matter, with findings to be shared with authorities. UKLFI welcomed the retailer’s response, emphasizing that political activists have no right to intimidate customers or disrupt trade in supermarkets.

It is notable that the Maris Piper potato variety is originally British, developed in England in the 1960s, though Israel cultivates it for export, particularly to the UK market during off-seasons. The potato is popular in Britain for its suitability for chips, baking, and mashing.

Marks & Spencer, known for clothing and quality food products, continues to sell Israeli agricultural produce despite periodic pro-Palestinian campaigns calling for boycotts of Israeli goods in recent years.