Carrfour Jordan was operated by Dubai-based Majid Al Futtaim

Carrefour Exits Jordan Amid BDS Boycott, Expands with New Stores in Israel

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The Judean Staff
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Carrefour, one of the world’s largest retail chains, has officially closed down all its operations in Jordan, a move announced on its Facebook page to over a million followers. In a brief but poignant statement, the company declared, "Carrefour will cease all its operations in Jordan and will not continue to operate within the Kingdom.” The closure will be a loss to the Jordanian people who have enjoyed the broad array of products and boasted among the lowest prices based on their purchasing power. In the economically challenged Hashemite Kingdom, the cost of food and basic goods matters to most of the population, of which an over 24% live in poverty, an alarming number considering that the mean poverty rate for OECD countries is under 10%.

This sudden exit follows a months-long boycott campaign against Carrefour by pro-Islamist Jordanian activists, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood aligned BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement. This campaign, intensified by political tensions in the region, had urged Jordanians to boycott Carrefour due to its expanding presence in Israel, which includes stores operated by the local franchise Electra Consumer Products. The boycott, and the ensuing consumer backlash, significantly impacted Carrefour's sales in Jordan. While banned in most modern Arab countries, the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist organization that created Hamas among other terror groups for the purpose of militarily imposing Shariah law across the world, holds 31 out of 138 Parliamentary seats in the Jordanian Parliament. 

Carrfour Jordan was run by the Dubai-based company "Majid Al Futtaim" which announced that they will replace the Carrfour stores with an Arabic chain. The United Arab Emirates and Israel have friendly relations and strong business ties. The fact that Jordanians protested the French supermarket and not the operators of the stores who brought them into the Kingdom shows a cognitive disconnect between reality and the narrative that the BDS campaigners provided the Jordanian public. The BDS Movement in general is contradictory. The Qatari-born founder, Omar Barghoutti was educated at Tel Aviv University and lives in Israel with his Arab-Israeli wife, effectively supporting the Israeli economy.

Jordanian Reactions and Online Support Surge

The announcement on Carrefour Jordan’s social media ignited a flurry of responses, with over 8,000 likes and 3,500 comments, many supporting the retailer’s exit. Comments such as, “A lot of people are happy with this decision” and “Allah will close all your stores,” reflect the extent of grassroots support for the boycott in Jordan. Others expressed faith that those who lost jobs due to the closures would receive divine compensation. 

The Impact of BDS Campaigns

The closure marks a significant victory for the BDS movement, which campaigns for the boycott of companies with ties to Israel. Since Carrefour’s entry into the Israeli market in 2023, BDS intensified its campaign against the retailer, accusing it of supporting Israel through its business partnerships and activities. Recently, the movement’s rhetoric escalated, fueled by reports that Electra, Carrefour’s franchise operator in Israel, has been providing support packages to IDF soldiers during the ongoing conflict with Hamas. BDS activists insist that Carrefour’s Israeli operations contribute indirectly to Israel’s defense sector, particularly in light of the chain’s expansion amid the October 7 massacre of Israelis by Hamas.

Despite Boycotts, Carrefour Surges in Israel

While Carrefour faces setbacks in Jordan, its Israeli operations are taking an upward trajectory. Since launching in Israel, Carrefour has opened 108 stores, with the latest opening this week in Daliyat El-Carmel, a predominantly Druze town. The retailer has quickly moved to attract diverse communities, including the Druze and haredi populations, expanding its reach and reinforcing its presence. This Friday, Carrefour will add its 109th location in Eilat, and by the end of November, additional stores are planned in Bat Yam, Tel Kabir, and Netanya.

Contrary to BDS claims that Carrefour's Israeli operations have suffered financial losses, recent reports suggest that the company has actually started seeing positive returns in the Israeli market. With sales increasing, Carrefour's Israeli expansion has begun to counterbalance the losses imposed by boycott efforts elsewhere.

Regional Implications and Future Prospects

Carrefour’s departure from Jordan, a first among its operations globally, underscores the increasing polarization of international business in the Middle East. As geopolitical pressures mount, Carrefour’s decision may prompt other multinationals to weigh the risks of operating in politically contentious markets. Meanwhile, Carrefour’s success in Israel may motivate Israeli consumers to rally further behind the brand, viewing their support as a counter-response to the BDS movement’s efforts to pressure international companies into disengaging from Israel.

With Carrefour continuing to invest heavily in Israel, the retailer’s resilience may serve as a case study for other companies navigating the volatile political landscape of the Middle East. As BDS campaigns intensify, Carrefour’s actions reflect a growing willingness among international companies to double down on partnerships with Israel rather than yield to boycott pressures, potentially setting a precedent for others.

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