Pret faces huge backlash for caving in to pro-Palestinian gang | UK | News
Activists are angry at Prêt à Manger, accusing the popular sandwich chain of caving to anti-Israel boycotts amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
On Sunday (tomorrow), central London will see another major pro-Palestine protest, this time at Pret’s Strand branch, organised by anti-discrimination group Stop Hate UK.
The group claims that Pret abandoned its expansion plans in Israel due to pressure from pro-Palestinian activists. Pret, however, has denied the allegations, citing regional travel restrictions as an obstacle to its development plans in Israel.
Stop Hate UK is protesting to denounce what it calls “discriminatory tactics of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement”. It argues that Pret’s withdrawal from Israel is a campaign that encourages “division and hatred”.
Itai, the group’s co-founder, said: “We cannot allow companies like Pret A Manger to give in to a movement that seeks to isolate and demonize Israel. This protest is not just about Israel, but also about fighting the normalization of anti-Semitism.”
Earlier this year, Pret announced the cancellation of a deal to open 40 stores in Israel with Fox Group, an Israeli retail giant, and Yarzin Sella.
The decision to end a business deal with Fox Group and Yarzin Sella Group, a catering company, was hailed as a victory by pro-Palestinian groups.
They believe this is due to the shift in public opinion against Israel following the military assault on Gaza that followed the Hamas attacks on October 7.
Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: “This decision sends a message to all businesses: if you support Israeli apartheid and genocide against Palestinians, you will face the full force of our movement, which will boycott your products and protest in your stores.
“Israel has committed crimes against humanity with impunity for too long. The people of the world are holding Israel accountable by refusing to allow its spending or savings to fund war crimes. It is high time our political leaders follow suit by ending arms sales and financial and diplomatic support to Israel.”
Activists began calling for a boycott of Pret, saying investing in Israel while it wages “genocide in Gaza” was unjustifiable.
A Pret spokesperson said: “We have taken the difficult decision to terminate our current agreement with Fox Group and Yarzin Sella Group.
“We have tried to delay this decision for as long as possible, but the significant ongoing travel restrictions have not allowed our teams to conduct the necessary checks and training to establish Pret in a new market. Under the terms of Pret’s travel insurance, employees travelling to Israel would not be insured.”
