MEMBERS have recently written to the chief executives of the major supermarkets asking them about their policy in relation to trade with Israeli companies that operate in Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.

As these settlements are illegal under international law, produce from them should be barred from the UK.

The Co-op has already made a definite commitment not to deal with any supplier which operates in illegal Israeli settlements, and the aim was to persuade the other supermarkets to do the same.

All were keen to stress their membership of the Ethical Trading Initiative, and, mostly, do not knowingly sell settlement produce (in one case such produce is clearly labelled so customers can choose whether or not to buy). But only the Co-op has a clear stance on this subject.

SCIP's next meeting is to be with representatives of the Council for Christians and Jews, learning about their work in promoting dialogue and understanding between people of the two faiths.

The discussion will include the relations between Jews and Christians in Israel where, as Arab non-Jews, they face discrimination, and in the occupied Palestinian territories where, along with all Palestinians, they suffer considerable hardship and oppression.

The meeting is on Wednesday, March 20 at 7pm at Sarum College.