In 2005 Palestinian civil society initiated a call for people of conscience around the world to Boycott, Divest and Sanction Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights. The call was endorsed by over 170 Palestinian organisations representing all sections of society including farmers.

Dried fruits, which also include raisins, dried apricots, and prunes, contain more calories per serving than their fresh counterparts because they have less water ( 6). Hodel, D.R.; Johnson, D.V. (2007). Imported and American Varieties of Dates (Phoenix dactylifera ) in the United States. Publication (University of California (System). Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources)). University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. p.10. ISBN 978-1-879906-78-5. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023 . Retrieved January 26, 2018. The exact origin of the date palm is considered lost in Antiquity. However, it is certain that the date palm was cultivated as early as 4000 B.C. since it was used for the construction of the temple of the moon god near Ur in Southern Iraq – Mesopotamia.

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Dates offer a significant amount of fiber and variety of vitamins and minerals, including iron, potassium, B vitamins, copper, and magnesium ( 1, 2).

Palestinian cooking is not fussy, but delicate and beautiful. Delicious and captivating. [Joudie Kalla] Medjool dates’ soluble fiber content lowers bad (LDL) cholesterol. Fiber binds with this cholesterol and prevents its absorption into your bloodstream. This keeps cholesterol’s fatty deposits from building up in your arteries, which reduces the risk of heart disease. American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) initiated the first-ever nationwide boycott of dates produced in settlements during Ramadan 2012. In coalition with our chapters in New York, New Jersey, Detroit, Minnesota, Chicago, and Sacramento, as well as partners in Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, AMP answered the 2005 Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions by urging grocery store owners to remove Israeli dates from their shelves. These dried fruits make a great sugar alternative due to their sweetness, which comes from fructose, a natural sugar.Activists visiting the Palestinian village of Fasayl in the Jordan Valley discovered that villagers are slowly being forced off their land by the Israeli army for settlement expansion. The only livelihood left open to them is to work for Israeli plantations. These villagers, forced to work for illegal plantations (including 2 children under age of 12) to feed their families —had a message for the activists, a plea for anyone who would listen — take action against the companies that support Israeli apartheid. What excuse is left for us not to boycott Israel?

The Israelis prefer to employ children — even issuing official work permits, as they can climb trees faster, work for less and it’s easier to cheat and humiliate them. Out of desperate poverty Palestinian families are forced to take their children out of school and hand them over to the settlers to work for a pittance. Guilty Companies Hadiklaim, the Israeli Date Growers Cooperative, which includes illegal settler plantations, sells 65% of all Israeli dates. Its brands include Jordan River, King Solomon, Tamara Barhi Dates, Rapunzel, Bomaja, Desert Diamond, Shams and Delilah. They also supply supermarkets that market them under their own brand. These include Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Waitrose. Sometimes they are labelled “produced in the West Bank”, but these are not Palestinian dates. Mehadrin, Israel’s largest fresh produce exporter, boasted of doubling their Medjoul date sales sighting strong demand in Ramadan! Their dates have brand names Premium Medjoul, Fancy Medjoul, Royal Treasure, Red Sea, & Bonbonierra. Israeli settlements built on stolen Palestinian land have been ruled illegal by the International Court of Justice. 60% of Israel’s dates are grown in these settlements, it’s their most profitable crop contributing significantly to their economic viability. 80% of settlement dates are exported, the UK being Israel’s 2nd largest market. If you oppose the settlements, target their dates. Most consumers associate Medjoul dates with the widely known soft Jumbo dates (extremely large size with soft flesh), while only a few know that this date variety is also available in various sizes, softness, and appearance, offering delicious alternatives that are in line with the different consumer preferences and uses. Medjool dates are also a rich source of antioxidants, which help fight damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. Their carotenoid and phenolic acid antioxidants have both been studied for their beneficial effects on heart health ( 2, 11, 12). Supports healthy digestionIt is important to note that if you buy Medjool (Medjoul) dates in Europe or the US, there is a good chance they were grown in a settlement or from Israel proper. Unless it is from a trusted Palestinian source like Zaytoun or Yaffa , you could be eating a date that contributes to the dispossession of the Palestinian people. California dates, such as Orchid Dates and Best Fresh Produce, provide good alternative options as well. Fiber is essential to promoting healthy digestion and bowel regularity. In fact, sufficient fiber in your daily diet helps form stool and prevent constipation ( 13). The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: “Dietary fiber intake and risk of colorectal cancer and incident and recurrent adenoma in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial,” “Sodium and potassium intakes among US adults: NHANES 2003–2008.” Fiber can help lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol and keep your arteries clean, reducing your risk of heart disease. Just 2 dates (48 grams) contains over 3 grams of fiber ( 1, 7, 8). Cream the butter and sugar together until pale and light. Add the eggs and beat again until well combined.