Police were called to Agrexco UK’s Hayes headquarters yesterday to prevent Palastine solidarity activists from disrupting the Israeli-owned company's business.
A handful of non-violent activists chained themselves to the premises from 6am to 5pm, protesting against alleged breaches of human rights and international law in Palestine’s occupied territories.
However, according to Agrexco UK’s managing director Amos Orr, all claims of misconduct are “utter nonsense”, the blockade failed to disrupt business at all and the protesters left in the evening, disappointed not to have been arrested.
He said: “The situation is very simple. Four years ago the EU passed a law declaring that products from the settlements were no longer entitled to any reduction in duties but they are perfectly legal and sold all over Europe. The supermarkets wouldn’t do anything but abide by the law and they continue to sell products from the occupied territories.”
Orr added: “I would like to emphasise that we export produce from Palestinians grown in the Gaza strip under their own label, Coral. They have a choice as to with whom they want to market their produce and the majority chooses Agrexco. Now, if we are so terrible, why do they keep working with us?”
