Boycott group welcomes end of FamilyMart-linked company's MOU with Israeli firm

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated to better reflect FamilyMart Malaysia’s position in relation to Japan’s Itochu Aviation.

A group advocating boycotts of major international brands in response to the Israeli invasion of Gaza welcomes the end of ties between a FamilyMart-linked company and an Israeli defence firm.

Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Malaysia chairperson Mohd Nazari Ismail told Malaysiakini that many consumers had boycotted FamilyMart because of the ties of its sister company in Japan.

Japan’s FamilyMart Co Ltd is majority-owned by Itochu Corporation.

Itochu subsidiary Itochu Aviation was in business with Israel’s Elbit Systems to import defence technology into Japan.

However, the aviation moved to end its memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Elbit Systems on Feb 5.

This was in support of the Japanese government’s backing of the recent International Court of Justice’s call for an end to attacks on Gaza.

‘Consumers have potential’

FamilyMart Malaysia - which has a franchise deal with the Japanese main company - announced the development in a statement yesterday.

“FamilyMart Malaysia reiterates that we do not support terrorism or murder, and we do not contribute or donate or hold dealings with Israel,” it added.

The Itochu Aviation MOU with Elbit Systems had previously led to boycotts both in Malaysia and Japan against FamilyMart.

Nazari this was likely an additional factor in Itochu’s decision to terminate the MOU.

“It is possible that this was an important factor that weighed into the company’s decision (to end the memorandum of understanding).

“However, this is a good decision made by Itochu Aviation and proves that boycotting companies linked to Israel is an effective move.

“Consumers have the potential to stop Israel’s atrocities against Palestinians,” he said.

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