Carrefour ceases operations in Jordan effective immediately
Carrefour, the French multinational retail and wholesaling corporation, announced that it will cease all operations in Jordan, effective immediately.
In an official statement, Carrefour shared, "As of Nov. 4, 2024, Carrefour will cease all operations in Jordan and will no longer operate within the Kingdom. We thank our customers for their support and apologize for any inconvenience this decision may cause."
The reasons behind this decision have not yet been disclosed.
- Background -
Carrefour is a multinational French retail chain considered one of the largest retail companies in the world, founded in 1959.
The company has various branches that include supermarkets and hypermarkets, and it operates in more than 30 countries worldwide, including many in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Carrefour is known for offering a wide range of products, including groceries, clothing, household appliances, and electronics.
- Boycott movement of Carrefour -
While the reasons for its closure have not yet been disclosed, many online users believe that Carrefour's shutdown is largely attributed to a boycott movement related to Palestine against the company.
On Oct. 7, 2023, a boycott was instigated by the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which urged supporters of Palestinian rights worldwide to refrain from shopping at Carrefour.
The movement's campaign gained momentum following Carrefour's franchise agreement with Electra Consumer Products (ECP) and its subsidiary, Yenot Bitan, both of which operate stores in illegal Israeli Occupation settlements.
The BDS movement cited the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) ruling in July 2024, which declared "Israel's" presence in the occupied Palestinian territories as illegal.
The controversy surrounding Carrefour intensified during "Israel's" aggression on Gaza, where the company was accused of providing support to the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).
Reports indicated that Carrefour-Israel sent personal care packages to IOF soldiers involved in the military operations, leading to claims of complicity in the violence against Palestinian civilians.
Despite Carrefour's attempts to distance itself from these allegations, critics argue that as long as the company maintains its partnerships with entities that facilitate the occupation, it cannot escape accountability for its role in the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
