Full Breakdown
Park Slope Food Coop Faces Deep Divide Over Proposed Israeli Product Boycott
5/26/2026, 11:17:49 PM
Background & Context
The Park Slope Food Coop (PSFC), a member-owned grocery serving roughly 15,000-17,000 Brooklyn residents, has been debating a boycott of Israeli-origin goods since 2012. Supporters tie the measure to the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement and cite the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks and the ensuing Gaza war as a catalyst for renewed activism. Opponents argue the proposal is symbolic, divisive, and risks antisemitic rhetoric within a historically progressive institution.
Timeline of Key Events
- 2012: Initial BDS-related debate at PSFC.
- Oct 7 2023: Terrorist attacks in Israel; Gaza war intensifies campus-wide activism.
- 2024: Jewish members file a complaint with the New York State Human Rights Division alleging harassment.
- May 23 2026: Media reports link the co-op dispute to the NY-10th congressional primary between Rep. Dan Goldman and challenger Brad Lander.
- May 25 2026: PSFC emails members about security threats, hires guards, and adds a check-in station.
- May 26 2026 (Tuesday): General meeting moved to a Zoom-only vote on lowering the boycott threshold.
Data & Statistics
- Membership size: reported as 15,000 (NY Post) and 17,000 (NY Times).
- Israeli-origin items stocked: five products – seasonal matzo, hummus, Bamba chips, an herb, and two Ecolove hair-care items.
- Estimated member loss if the boycott passes: ? 1,000 members (both sources).
- Security incidents reported: threats, suspicious mail, aggressive calls, verbal and occasional physical confrontations.
Official Statements & Responses
- Rep. Dan Goldman (Democrat, NY-10): “Joining a movement founded on the principle of the elimination of Israel… shifts responsibility for the Israeli government’s actions to American Jews, which is quintessential anti-Semitism.”
- Brad Lander (Democratic challenger): “Principled people can disagree here… Boycotts, divestments, and sanctions are legitimate tools of advocacy campaigns.”
- Rabbi Rachel Timoner, progressive Jewish leader: In a sermon she described BDS as “part of a larger movement for the elimination of Israel.”
- Co-op coordinators Ann Herpel and Matt Hoagland (email to members): Security measures are in place, but “we cannot guarantee their security.”
- Co-op leadership (member email): Reported threats, suspicious substances, and “verbal confrontations and, in some cases, physical altercations” among members.
Criticism & Opposition
Jewish members have voiced fear for personal safety, citing threats, aggressive flyers, and a reported incident where a pro-boycott activist “physically aggressive” toward a flyer-distributor. Several members warned that the boycott could trigger a “scalp hanging from the belt” of BDS, prompting an estimated 1,000 departures. Opponents also note that the boycott would affect only a handful of items, questioning its practical impact while highlighting the potential for heightened antisemitic rhetoric.
Why It Matters
The PSFC dispute mirrors a widening schism among progressive Democrats over Israel-Palestine policy, influencing the high-stakes NY-10th primary. A vote outcome could reshape the co-op’s membership base, set a precedent for similar institutions, and affect political narratives surrounding BDS and antisemitism in liberal circles.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Jewish supremacism is a problem in this country,” — Unnamed co-op member
- “Vote yes to not be silent during genocide. Be on the right side of history at the coop,” — Pro-boycott activist
- “It is just an excuse to show your power,” — Andre Schklowsky, 84, member since 1974
- “The whole time I was out there flyering, my heart was racing,” — 37-year-old mother of two
- “I thought it was disgusting,” — Prospect Heights member since 1987
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on PSFC’s exact membership count (15,000 vs 17,000) and on the precise list of Israeli products. No official response has been obtained from the pro-boycott group “Members for Palestine,” leaving their tactics and intentions unverified. Estimates of member attrition remain speculative.
What’s Next
The Zoom vote on Tuesday will determine whether the boycott threshold is lowered. Regardless of the result, the co-op anticipates continued security concerns, potential legal challenges, and ongoing political fallout in the upcoming June 23 primary.
