Israeli Falafel Chain Ta'im Closes New York Branches Amid Tax Debts, Not BDS Pressure

The Israeli falafel chain Ta'im has shut down its New York City locations after New York state tax authorities issued orders against the companies operating the chain due to accumulated tax debts totaling $1.35 million. Official documents reveal that 12 tax warrants were filed against these companies, and a separate lawsuit mentions an additional $632,000 in debts. The closures come amid an ongoing legal dispute between the previous and current owners over responsibility for these outstanding debts.

Following the closures, activists from the BDS movement quickly claimed the shutdown was a result of their boycott campaign, with social media posts celebrating the outcome and alleging cultural appropriation and ethnic cleansing. However, the official records contradict these claims, showing that the primary cause was financial and legal troubles rather than political activism.

All four New York City branches of Ta'im have been temporarily closed, with phone lines disconnected and online ordering suspended. The chain’s last remaining U.S. location in Washington, D.C., had already closed in July. This development is notable given that earlier this year, Craveworthy Brands, the current franchise holder, announced plans for expansion and even distributed free falafel as a promotional campaign in July.

Founded in 2005 by Israeli chef Einat Admony, Ta'im grew to operate 14 locations at its peak and generated $18.7 million in sales in 2022. Although the chain was listed among boycott targets after October 7, no evidence links the BDS campaign to the closures. Instead, tax liabilities and internal ownership disputes are the key factors behind the shutdowns.