Cape Town - The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign that calls for boycotts against Israel has distanced itself from an incident in which a pig’s head was placed in the meat section of Woolworths Sea Point.
Calling it “completely offensive”, Sumayya Omar of the organisation said the group “condemned” the action.
“We are completely distancing ourselves from the incident. BDS is not involved or implicated at all,” she said, adding that the campaign had Jewish and Muslim members.
Members of the Congress of South African Students (Cosas) Western Cape branch placed the pig’s head at Woolworths on Thursday as part of a protest against the store for stocking Israeli products.
The pig’s head was brought into the shop concealed in a pram. Three protesters took a picture of themselves with the head before they left the store.
Cosas provincial convener Siphakamise Ngxowa said it supported the people of Palestine and denounced the “killing of innocent children”.
He said Cosas members had decided to take “drastic action” against Woolworths as they believed the retailer continued to buy products from Israel.
He said 16 students had been involved.
“It was not done with the intention of disrespecting Muslim and Jewish customers,” he said.
Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions repeated its stance of condemnation of the protest action. It also condemned Woolworths for selling Israeli products.
“BDS SA will continue with peaceful protests,” it said.
The organisation said the retailer sourced products and produce from Israel. Items Woolworths imports from Israel include pretzels, matzos, coriander, figs, litchis and mangoes.
Paula Disberry, Woolworths Group Director of Retail Operations, said the act was “unacceptable and offensive” to employees and customers, particularly Jews and Muslims.
She said Woolworths would destroy Halaal products that may have been affected.