British coffee chain Pret A Manger has scrapped its plans to launch operations in Israel, citing the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Last year, Pret A Manger announced its intention to open its first outlet in Tel Aviv by the end of 2024 and to establish more than 40 branches across Israel over the next decade. However, on Friday, Israeli franchisee Fox-Wizel Group disclosed to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange that Pret A Manger had invoked a ‘force majeure’ clause, which allows contractual obligations to be nullified due to extreme and unforeseeable circumstances.
A spokesperson for Pret A Manger explained to World Coffee Portal, “We have made the tough decision to terminate our current agreement with Fox Group and Yarzin Sella Group.”
The spokesperson further elaborated, “We postponed this decision for as long as possible, but ongoing significant travel restrictions have prevented our teams from conducting the necessary checks and training to establish Pret in a new market. We are deeply grateful to the teams at Fox Group and Yarzin Sella Group for their support and collaboration.”
The Fox-Wizel Group, according to the Times of Israel, intends to contest Pret A Manger’s decision and challenge the coffee chain’s claims.
Pret A Manger’s withdrawal from Israel comes amidst growing pressure from pro-Palestinian groups and boycott campaigns, which have been highlighting concerns about Israel’s policies and actions in the region.
In response to Pret A Manger’s decision, Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), stated, “This decision sends a message to all companies – supporting Israel’s actions against Palestinians will face significant opposition from our movement, which will boycott and protest your products and stores. Israel’s impunity in committing crimes against humanity has persisted for too long.”
Jamal added, “People around the world are holding Israel accountable by refusing to let their spending or investments finance war crimes. It is imperative that our political leaders follow suit by halting arms sales and ceasing financial and diplomatic support to Israel.”