A coalition of grassroots community groups, Ban Israeli Wine BC, has launched a Week of Action calling on the provincial government to immediately ban the sale of Israeli wine in British Columbia’s liquor stores. This campaign coincides with Israeli Apartheid Week and is driven by the group’s demand for action in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
In a statement, the coalition emphasized that the Israeli military’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza and increased violence in the West Bank must prompt urgent action from elected officials. The release states, “While the Israeli military has resumed indiscriminate bombardment of Gaza and intensified brutality and repression in the West Bank after 16 months of active genocide, our elected officials have an urgent duty to act.”
The call to ban Israeli wines in BC has been echoed by organizations such as the Canada Palestine Association, BDS Vancouver, and other supporters for years, with the aim of pressuring Israel to comply with international law. The groups have renewed this call following Israel’s actions in Gaza, which they describe as genocide.
Despite these calls, the provincial government has repeatedly refused to impose such a ban, citing a lack of direction from the federal government regarding sanctions. The coalition, however, points to previous instances where the BC government acted independently. In February 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the provincial government took swift action, removing Russian alcohol from liquor store shelves—months before federal sanctions on Russian products took effect. Similarly, in March 2025, in response to a trade dispute between Canada and the United States, the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) removed liquor products from Republican states.
Tamer Aburamadan, an organizer with Ban Israeli Wine BC, expressed frustration at the province’s lack of action regarding Israel. “When Russia invaded Ukraine, BC acted swiftly—pulling Russian alcohol from shelves months before federal sanctions. When trade disputes flared with the U.S., the province immediately yanked products from Republican states. But when it comes to Israel’s genocide in Gaza? Silence. This double standard isn’t just hypocrisy—it’s anti-Palestinian racism,” Aburamadan said. “The NDP has full power to sanction Israeli wine today. If they can stand up to Russia and the U.S., why not Israel? The moral choice is clear: Ban Israeli imports now.”
During the Week of Action, community groups will protest and picket at multiple BCLIQUOR store locations across the province. They will also engage in a province-wide phone campaign, urging key decision-makers and local Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to publicly support Palestinian rights by backing the campaign to ban Israeli wine.
The coalition remains resolute in its call for immediate government action, urging both provincial leaders and the public to stand in solidarity with Palestine.
You Might Be Interested In:
