Attempt to resolve Woolworths boycott

Cape Town - Representatives of BDS South Africa met with a delegation of Woolworths [JSE:WHL] at the offices of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation in Cape Town.

"This meeting, long sought and requested by BDS SA and the NC4P, was convened as per a recent South Gauteng High Court order," BDS said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

"The meeting was conducted in a frank and cordial manner. While agreement was not reached on some of the fundamental issues involved, there was consensus that the conversation between the parties will continue."

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After the meeting Mthunzi Mbuli of BDS SA made clear that “the core demand communicated - and which still remains - is that Woolworths ends its trade with Israel".

The demand includes that all goods currently imported from Israel be procured elsewhere, for example from local suppliers.

"While the conversation is ongoing between the parties, the #BoycottWoolworths campaign continues and must be intensified on the ground,” said Mbuli.

Woolworths also described the meeting as cordial and said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the best way to bring an end to BDS' illegal protests in its stores.

"Both parties agreed that the details of the discussion were confidential and we plan to abide by this commitment," Woolworths responded to Fin24.

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