Investigative Article: "Carrefour Under Fire: A Global Boycott Over Ties to Israeli Settlements and Military Support"

Investigative Article: “Carrefour Under Fire: A Global Boycott Over Ties to Israeli Settlements and Military Support”

SAMI

September 1, 2025 19 mins to read

Table of Contents

Introduction

Carrefour, one of the world’s largest retail giants, has faced increasing scrutiny due to its operations in Israel and its alleged ties to the Israeli government and military. The French supermarket chain has been accused of complicity in Israeli settlements in the West Bank and supporting the Israeli military during escalations in Gaza. However, Carrefour has taken decisive action in response to other geopolitical crises, notably by withdrawing Russian products following the invasion of Ukraine. As the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement continues to gather momentum, this investigation explores Carrefour’s dual approach to corporate responsibility, comparing its responses to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Background: Carrefour’s Operations in Israel

Carrefour operates in Israel primarily through franchises and joint ventures, with a key partner being Electra Consumer Products. Despite claims of neutrality, Carrefour has maintained operations in Israeli settlements located in the West Bank, areas deemed illegal under international law. Reports have surfaced that Carrefour’s stores in these regions have been providing products that support the economic sustainability of settlements.

In response to accusations from human rights groups and activists, Carrefour has distanced itself from certain activities by removing branded products from stores operating in settlements. However, the company continues to collaborate with franchise partners involved in the controversial regions, leading critics to question whether Carrefour is truly distancing itself from complicity in Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land.

The BDS Movement’s Allegations: Accusations of Support for Israeli Settlements and Military Operations

The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement has been vocal in accusing Carrefour of supporting Israeli settlements and military activities. The movement claims that Carrefour’s relationship with Electra Consumer Products and Yenot Bitan, both of which operate in the West Bank, means that Carrefour is indirectly supporting Israel’s settlement expansion.

Moreover, BDS activists have highlighted reports of Carrefour supplying goods to Israeli soldiers during military operations, particularly in Gaza. In 2021, the company allegedly provided food packages to Israeli troops during escalated violence, further raising concerns about Carrefour’s indirect involvement in Israel’s military activities.

Carrefour’s Response: Denial of Allegations

Carrefour has consistently denied any complicity in Israeli military activities or settlement operations. The company states that it follows local laws and operates according to international standards in every country where it has a presence. Carrefour has also claimed that it has withdrawn branded products from stores in Israeli settlements, although these actions have not fully satisfied critics, who argue that the company’s continued relationships with franchise partners like Electra Consumer Products contradict these claims.

Despite Carrefour’s denials, its ongoing involvement in Israeli settlements has continued to spark protests and calls for a global boycott, as activists demand that the company end its operations in the occupied territories.

The Role of Electra Consumer Products and Yenot Bitan

Electra Consumer Products and Yenot Bitan are two companies central to Carrefour’s operations in Israel. Both companies are involved in the management of stores in Israeli settlements, which has drawn significant criticism from human rights groups. Critics argue that Carrefour’s continued partnership with these companies makes it complicit in the Israeli government’s settlement expansion.

While Carrefour has stated that it has no direct control over the operations of its franchise partners, its continued relationship with Electra and Yenot Bitan raises serious ethical concerns. The company’s business dealings in Israeli settlements contribute to the normalization of the occupation and undermine efforts to hold Israel accountable for its actions in the West Bank.

Public Actions and Global Protests Against Carrefour

The global backlash against Carrefour has been substantial, with protests organized across multiple countries. The BDS movement has been at the forefront of these campaigns, urging consumers to boycott Carrefour until the company ceases operations in Israeli settlements. Below are some notable examples of the public actions that have occurred around the world:

France: Nationwide Demonstrations
In Carrefour’s home country, France, protests have erupted in cities like Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. Activists have staged sit-ins, chanted slogans, and distributed leaflets outside Carrefour stores to raise awareness about the company’s alleged role in supporting Israeli settlements and military operations. Despite Carrefour’s claims of neutrality, these protests reflect growing public dissatisfaction with the company’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Tunisia: Clashes and Protests
In Tunisia, a Carrefour store in La Marsa became the focal point of a violent confrontation between pro-Palestine protesters and store security personnel. The incident, which led to injuries and hospitalizations, highlighted the rising tensions in the region. Activists accused Carrefour of complicity in the Israeli occupation, and the violence only intensified calls for a regional boycott of the retailer. This incident is part of a broader campaign across the Arab world urging Carrefour to end its operations in Israeli settlements.
Jordan and Oman: Corporate Retreats Amidst Pressure
Carrefour’s franchise partner, Majid Al Futtaim, announced the closure of all Carrefour stores in Jordan in November 2024, citing “market dynamics.” However, many observers believe the decision was influenced by the widespread boycott campaigns. Carrefour also ceased operations in Oman in January 2025, signaling the growing impact of the boycott movement in the Middle East.
Brazil: Anti-Racism Protests and Boycotts
Carrefour has also been the target of protests in Brazil following the 2020 killing of João Alberto Silveira Freitas, a Black man, by store security guards. This incident led to protests in cities like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Porto Alegre, where demonstrators demanded justice and an end to Carrefour’s racial discrimination practices. These protests have also raised awareness of Carrefour’s operations in Israeli settlements, adding another layer of scrutiny to the company’s international reputation.
Middle East: Widespread Calls for Boycott
Across the Middle East, the BDS movement has organized protests and social media campaigns calling for a boycott of Carrefour stores. In Lebanon, Morocco, and Egypt, activists have taken to the streets to demand that Carrefour sever ties with Israeli settlements. The protests are part of a broader regional push to hold companies accountable for their involvement in the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

Comparing Carrefour’s Responses: The Russia-Ukraine War vs. Israel-Palestine

Situation	Action Taken by Carrefour	Repercussions	Criticisms
Russia-Ukraine War	Removed Russian products from shelves in Poland	Positive public reception for supporting Ukraine	Perceived as a quick response aligned with Western sanctions
Israel-Palestine Conflict	Maintains operations in Israeli settlements	Accusations of complicity in illegal settlement activities	Considered inconsistent and hypocritical by critics

While Carrefour responded swiftly and decisively to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, withdrawing Russian goods from its shelves, its continued operations in Israeli settlements present a stark contrast. Critics argue that Carrefour’s decision to act against Russia but maintain business ties with companies benefiting from Israeli settlements reflects a double standard and a lack of consistency in its ethical practices.

Conclusion

Carrefour’s involvement in Israeli settlements and its response to the Russia-Ukraine war highlight significant inconsistencies in its corporate ethics. While the company swiftly acted to remove Russian products from its shelves in solidarity with Ukraine, its continued presence in Israeli settlements, where it has been accused of complicity in human rights violations, casts doubt on the sincerity of its commitments to ethical business practices.

The ongoing protests and calls for a global boycott suggest that Carrefour’s reputation is under serious threat. Whether the company will heed these global calls for greater accountability and sever its ties with Israeli settlements remains to be seen, but the growing pressure will likely force Carrefour to reevaluate its stance on corporate responsibility and human rights.

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