Finland’s largest supermarket chain permanently stops selling Israeli goods

HELSINKI, Nov. 20 (YPA) – S Group, Finland’s largest supermarket chain, has announced it will stop selling goods from Israel, according to Finnish broadcaster RTÉ.

The company stated: “S Group will no longer sell goods from Israel.” Reports indicate the decision was made last September and is linked to the European Commission’s proposal to suspend trade sections of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

According to Nina Iloma, the company’s sustainability manager, S Group is closely monitoring the progress of the peace negotiations and EU decisions and is prepared to reconsider its decision if necessary.

Last September, the European Commission submitted a proposal to the European Council calling for the suspension of trade privileges granted to Israel and the imposition of sanctions on far-right ministers in the Israeli government and “violent settlers.”

The Commission explained that this proposal follows a review of Israel’s compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, concluding that the Israeli government’s actions violate fundamental elements relating to respect for human rights and democratic principles, thus authorizing the EU to unilaterally suspend the agreement.

The EU is the occupation’s largest trading partner, representing 32% (€15.9 billion) of Israel’s total goods exports in 2024, while Israel is the EU’s 31st largest trading partner.