Israeli Dates Sold During Ramzan in Pakistan Cause Uproar

Call for Boycott

Karachi (Pakistan) – As the month of Ramzan begins, Muslims around the world observe fasting and break it with dates during Iftar. Amid the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel, several countries, including Pakistan, have called for a boycott of Israeli products. However, Israeli dates have once again appeared in the market during Ramzan. Some people have expressed concern over the availability of Israeli “Medjool dates” in Karachi’s marketplaces.

Social activist Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jr. raised this issue on social media, stating that Israeli dates are being sold in Karachi markets. Originally cultivated in Morocco, Medjool dates are now also grown in Palestine, Jordan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Currently, Israel is the largest exporter of dates, with agricultural settlements established in illegal Jewish colonies on Palestinian land. Bhutto emphasized that it is a moral and religious duty to avoid purchasing any products that contribute to Palestinian suffering. He urged shopkeepers to remove Israeli dates from their shelves.

Appeal to Identify Israeli Dates !

People in Pakistan have been advised to check the barcode on date packaging. Products made in Israel typically have a barcode starting with ‘729’, which indicates registration under the Israeli Standards Organization (GS1).

However, some Israeli products may be sold under different names to hide their true origin. In such cases, consumers are advised to carefully read the packaging details, research the brand names online, and opt for dates sourced from Palestine or other Middle Eastern countries.