AS AN estimated 600,000 people marched to Downing Street to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the Nakba on Saturday, a motion was passed at the Co-op group’s AGM for the supermarket giant to cease all trading with Israel by the end of the summer.

The historic victory for Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s (PSC) Don’t Buy Apartheid drive came as protesters from across the country attended the biggest national Gaza demonstration since November 2023.

PSC has been urging individuals, shops, restaurants and venues to boycott Israeli fresh produce and all Coca-Cola brands in protest over their links with Israel’s crimes against Palestinians. 

Paul Neill, one of the West Yorkshire activists responsible, said: “We are delighted to say that the motion was passed by a clear majority of Co-op members, reflecting widespread condemnation among the British public for the actions of Israel. 

”This is a historic moment for a UK supermarket chain and puts down a marker for other supermarkets and retailers.”

PSC campaigns officer Lewis Backon said: “Meaningful solidarity actions could not be more urgent as Palestinians continue to face Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip and its military attacks, land grabs and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank.

”The Co-op AGM vote shows ordinary people in this country are committed to the cause of justice and freedom for Palestine in their everyday lives and refuse to support Israel’s apartheid economy. 

”The Co-op must now listen to its members and implement the motion by taking all Israeli goods off the shelves.”

A Co-op spokesman confirmed that a members’ motion on trading with Israel was passed at its AGM on Saturday and ”whilst the motion is advisory, we are currently reviewing our sourcing policies, which we do from time to time. 

”This is to ensure they reflect both our values and principles and the views of our members, which they have made clear today.  

“We expect our review on the sourcing policy to complete towards the end of the summer.” 

The PSC said the march was intended to ”mark the 77th anniversary of the 1948 Nakba and demand our government take action to end the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their land.” The Nakba refers to the forcible expulsion of 750,000 Palestinians from their homes during the foundation of Israel.

The demo was held as Israel intensifies its bombardment of Gaza in the 19th month since it invaded the territory, which it had previously besieged since 2006.

Stop the War, among the march organisers, said that the demonstration was attended by an estimated 600,000 people.

Today, activist Peter Tatchell claimed that march stewards used the police to “silence” his criticism of the Hamas militant group after he was arrested during the demonstration.

The 73-year-old had joined the protest carrying a placard which read “Stop Israel genocide! Stop Hamas executions!”

The Metropolitan Police said Mr Tatchell was arrested in “error” after “concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest.” The force added that he would face no further action. 

A PSC spokesperson said it did not make any such complaint about Mr Tatchell, and was ”not aware of any of the stewards making a complaint to any police officer.”

The death toll in the heavily populated Gaza Strip has topped 53,000 since October 7 2023.