List of Israel-Linked Dates Circulating in the Market: Avoid Buying the Wrong Ones
Jakarta — Dates are one of the most popular iftar treats during the holy month of Ramadan. Besides being part of the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), consuming dates after breaking the fast is known to offer health benefits.
Among the benefits of eating dates after breaking the fast is that they help the body regain energy. Dates contain natural sugars — fructose and glucose — that are easily absorbed by the body, helping to restore energy lost during more than 12 hours of fasting.
Moreover, the fibre content in dates can suppress excessive hunger, preventing overeating when breaking the fast. Consuming dates also helps maintain the body’s electrolyte balance. The potassium and magnesium in dates are beneficial for regulating fluid balance in the body, supporting nerve function, and maintaining muscle contractions.
However, consumers may not be aware that 70 per cent of Medjool dates are reportedly exported from Israel. According to the website palestinecampaign.org, Israel has seized date plantations in Palestine and claimed them as its own by force. In some cases, Israel has even labelled boxes of dates it sells as “Made in Palestine.”
To help consumers avoid inadvertently purchasing such products, the following is a list of date producers affiliated with Israeli companies that should be avoided, as cited from palestinecampaign.org on Friday, 20 February 2026. The website also provides brief guidelines for boycotting Israeli dates to ensure they are not consumed during Ramadan 1447 H/2026. The key points are as follows:
Always check the label. Do not buy dates produced or packaged in Israel or in illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. If no country of origin is stated on the packaging, check the information on the retailer’s official website.
Check for the name of the Israeli agricultural exporter on the box. One of the largest is Hadiklaim. This company sells dates in supermarkets under the brands King Solomon, Jordan River, Jordan River Bio-Top, and MyJool. They also supply dates under supermarket own-brand labels.
Avoid products from companies such as Mehadrin, MTex, Galilee Export, Edom, Carmel Agrexco, and Arava.