Scottish farmer pushes for boycott of Israeli produce at city market
The 62-year-old has been voicing his anger over the genocide being carried out in Gaza in weekly newsletters to around 5000 customers and ex-customers, including his fears around farmers being murdered and their struggle to get their produce to markets.
As well as making moves to try and get his farm twinned with one in Palestine as a way of showing support, Callender is pushing for [[Edinburgh]] Farmer's Market – for which he is treasurer on the committee – to become an 'apartheid-free zone', clear of any Israeli produce.
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The dad-of-two told The National: 'At the moment I'm the treasurer of the Edinburgh Farmer's Market, there's five of us on the committee, and maybe about 30 members. I put it to them that the market should become an apartheid-free zone.
'One person thought it was a great idea, another was apprehensive and said we should put it to members, which of course we should. It's fizzled out a bit, but I'm still pushing at it.
'People are claiming it's political but it's got nothing to do with politics. The Co-op members voted for it, so if the Co-op can do it, surely we're more ethical than a supermarket?'
A motion proposed at the Co-op AGM in May calling for a cease to all trading with Israel was backed by around 73% of members.
It announced in June it would no longer be sourcing carrots from Israel, among other products from 'countries of concern'.
Callender (below) said that while many people feel they cannot affect the situation in Gaza, he feels boycotting produce could go some way to helping stop the apartheid if more people and businesses come on board.
(Image: Supplied) 'You sort of think people feel there's nothing they can do to change things but boycotting definitely does help and I do think it did help in changing apartheid in South Africa so maybe, [you've got to] hit people where it hurts and something will have to change,' he said.
Callendar has been committed to raising awareness of the assault on Gaza ever since the aftermath of October 7, and is passionate about making more people understand the atrocities taking place.
'I think on a personal level I've always supported Palestinians in what they've been going through. I remember a few years ago a journalist being shot by Israeli forces and then when the funeral came and a crowd were carrying the coffin, the Israeli police sort of baton-charged them. It's just absolutely outrageous and from then I've followed it and taken an interest.
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'When the Landworkers' Alliance came up with the idea of twinning with a farm in the West Bank, I sort of thought that would have relevance to our customers now because small farms are being raided, farmers are being killed, and having their land stolen.'
The Palestine Solidarity Twinning Project is a collaboration between the Landworkers' Alliance (LWA) and the Union of Agricultural Work Committees and aims to build grassroots solidarity with farmers and landworkers in Palestine by connecting them with LWA members in the UK.
Callender said there has been the occasional person who has responded negatively to his newsletters, but he said he is prepared to lose customers to stand up for what is right.
Asked why he is speaking out about Gaza, he said: 'I think it's just so more people understand what's going on.
'I did a newsletter when the invasion first happened and I put that we'd made a donation to UNRWA. I knew it would make some people angry, but I think more people know about it now and you've even got the Daily Express showing pictures of starving babies on the front cover.
'Even if we lost half our customers, I would still do it again.'
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Scotsman
5 hours ago
- Scotsman
Why silence over Gaza, even in Scotland, risks complicity in war crimes
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The situation in Gaza has never been a distant conflict; it is a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in real time, and it demands a political response that goes beyond words of concern. As the death toll rises, the calls for action from my constituents grow louder and more urgent. Every day, I receive messages not only expressing anguish over the suffering of Palestinians, who are being deliberately starved, displaced, and killed while trying to access food and water, but also demanding that their elected representatives act. 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Here in Scotland, we must also question how our own institutions may be complicit. I recently met with members of Campaign Against Arms Trade Edinburgh, which raised serious concerns about public subsidies being directed through Scottish Enterprise to arms manufacturers, including companies whose components may be used in weapons linked to war crimes. While not all funding is directly tied to weapons, the ethical implications are undeniable. Taxpayer money should never support, even indirectly, actions that risk violating international law. Public funds must align with Scotland's commitment to peace, dignity, and justice. 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Supporting movements like Standing Together is not only a way to protest against violence and promote peace in the face of the horrific situation unfolding in the region, it is also essential to tackling antisemitism and Islamophobia. This is not about political allegiance. It is about basic human dignity; the right of every person, regardless of where they are born, to live free from fear, violence, and oppression. The scale of suffering in Gaza has moved far beyond the bounds of political debate. Calls for a ceasefire are no longer enough. There must be immediate international action to stop the violence, protect civilians, and hold those responsible to account. In light of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's recent announcement, I welcome the outlined pathway towards recognising the state of Palestine ahead of the United Nations' General Assembly in September. The suffering in Gaza remains relentless. Our priority must be protecting civilians, both hostages and the people of Gaza, who continue to bear the unbearable. On Gaza, and on every issue where human rights are under threat, I will continue to raise my voice. Whether it's in the Scottish Parliament, in community spaces, or in solidarity with international movements for justice, I will continue to use every platform to speak out against oppression and to stand up for those whose voices are being silenced.
Leader Live
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Trump envoy arrives in Israel amid rising death toll of Palestinians seeking aid
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Reuters
7 hours ago
- Reuters
Lebanese president steps up calls for Hezbollah to disarm
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