SRINAGAR: In a significant act of protest, Kashmiri shopkeepers have boycotted Israeli dates this Ramadan, showing their solidarity with Palestine.
The move is seen as a stand against Israel’s occupation and oppression of Palestinians, with businesses opting for alternatives from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Morocco, and Algeria instead.
The call to boycott — simple yet deeply symbolic — has resonated widely across the valley.
“The streets of Kashmir, usually buzzing with the excitement of Ramadan shopping, now echo with conversations about rejecting Israeli dates,” said a shopkeeper from Srinagar’s bustling Lal Chowk.
Ramadan in Kashmir has been marked by devotion, charity, and communal warmth for generations. But this year, solidarity with Palestinians is adding to the devotion.
The boycott began quietly in the narrow lanes of Srinagar’s old markets, where traders noticed a shift in consumer sentiment. At first, the impact was modest, but soon it grew into a wave. Once popular for their quality and packaging, Israeli dates started disappearing from shelves, replaced by varieties from West Asia.
“We cannot directly solve the problems of Palestine, but we can do this much,” said a shopkeeper from Lal Chowk. “If we can’t take direct action, at least we can stop supporting those who contribute to Palestinian suffering.”
Umar Mehraj, a shop owner in Maharaja Bazar, watched the vibrant crowd moving through the narrow lanes outside his store. The air was filled with familiar sounds—vendors calling out to customers, the rhythmic clinking of goods being exchanged, and the scent of spices and dried fruits. He has been running his business for years, but the crisis in Palestine weighs heavily on his mind.
“Whenever I read or hear about the suffering of Palestinians, especially children, my heart wrenches,” he said. “The violence, the destruction—it makes you feel helpless.”
With quiet determination, Umar expressed his resolve.
“I want to thank Almighty Allah,” he said, sincerity pouring from his words. “Without His mercy, none of us would be here. We must recognise that we are powerless in many ways. What is happening to the people of Palestine, especially the children, is beyond our control. But there is one thing we can always do — pray for them.”
“I am boycotting Israeli dates this year and will continue to do so forever. I will never sell or buy them in solidarity with Palestine. It is a small gesture, but it is our way of standing with them. It may not seem like much, but every small act of resistance matters. If everyone around the world did even one thing in support of justice and humanity, we could make a difference.”
As he glanced at the busy streets of Lal Chowk, Umar knew he could not change the world overnight, but he believed that each small act of resistance, each prayer for peace, mattered. “May Allah bring peace to Palestine and give us the strength to do whatever little we can for justice,” he said with quiet conviction.
This year, his shop is stocked with Saudi Arabian, Iranian, and Algerian dates, including premium varieties like Kalmi, Mabroom, Ajwa, and Majdool.
Rejecting Israeli Goods, Supporting Palestinian Cause
Ibrahim Beigh, the owner of Dry N Delicious in Srinagar’s Khanyar area, also refuses to sell Israeli dates. His stance is firm.
“I do not sell or buy Israeli dates,” he said. “I stand with Palestine. Every Ramadan, when it’s time to stock up, I ensure that 95% of my dates come from Saudi Arabia, Iran, and other Middle Eastern countries. The remaining stock, including high-quality varieties, comes from Morocco.”
For Ibrahim, boycotting Israeli dates is just one aspect of supporting Palestine. “Solidarity isn’t just about rejecting Israeli products — it’s about standing with them in every way possible,” he explained. “We should also support them financially. Charity, donations, and humanitarian aid are what truly make a difference. Every penny counts.”
He also pointed out the economic advantages that allow Israeli dates to dominate global markets. “Israeli dates are cheaper because of government subsidies, advanced irrigation techniques, and strong trade agreements with Asian countries,” Ibrahim said.
“Most of them are grown on stolen Palestinian land and then rebranded with misleading labels to evade boycotts. That’s why it is difficult to distinguish them from other origins.”
For many Kashmiris, the cause is not just political but deeply personal.
A Kashmiri elder, speaking to Kashmir Times, reflected on the long-standing connection between the struggles of Kashmir and Palestine. “For the people of Kashmir, this cause hits close to home. We have always felt a deep sense of solidarity with Palestine, seeing in their struggles a reflection of our own.”
The boycott is not just an act of defiance; it is an assertion of empathy and moral responsibility. Across the city, from small kiosks to grand bazaars, the discussions around rejecting Israeli dates are everywhere.
“In times of adversity, solidarity shines the brightest,” said a shopkeeper in the historic Rajouri Kadal area. “Even if we cannot physically stand with them, we can show that our hearts and prayers are with the people of Palestine.”
The Palestinian issue remains one of the longest-running and most violent disputes haunting the modern world, dating back more than a century. The latest escalation in Gaza has only added to the devastation, with the official death toll crossing to around 50,000 since October 7, 2023, when Israel began assaults in response to a Hamas attack.
As Ramadan progresses, Kashmiris remain steadfast in their boycott, hoping that their small stand sends a message of resistance, resilience, and solidarity to Palestinians and the world. “It is not much, but it is something,” said Ibrahim. “If every person did something for justice, we could make a difference.”
For now, in Kashmir’s crowded markets, Israeli dates remain absent from the shelves—a quiet yet powerful symbol of an unbreakable bond between two lands united by struggle.
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