After several dramatic intrusions by activists, where Lidl’s store in Rågsved became the center of chaos, the company has been forced to increase its preparedness. The attack, which happened in the middle of lunchtime on Tuesday, saw a dozen protesters force their way into the store, shouting slogans and putting up boycott signs against the food chain, it reports Bulletin.
The incident quickly escalated and the store had to be closed immediately after the situation became increasingly threatening, something that was documented in a video that is now spreading on social media.
“Blood on your hands!” shouted the activists, who accused Lidl of indirectly supporting the genocide in Gaza through alleged investments in Israeli tech companies.
Lidl’s press service has confirmed that the store in Rågsved was only closed for a short time and that a police report has been made. The police were on the scene to monitor the situation, and a preliminary investigation is underway against a person suspected of violating the Public Order Act.
“Unfortunately, due to harassment and the risk of vandalism, we cannot open the store at the moment,” the store manager wrote on a note on the door, according to Grocery news.
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The boycott is intensifying
The incident in Rågsved is not the only one of its kind. Lidl has previously had to deal with organized actions, mainly in stores in southern Sweden, where order has been disrupted and vandalism has occurred.
– Our highest priority is the safety and security of our employees and our customers, says the company’s press service in a statement to the newspaper.
The global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement has intensified its activities since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, it reported South Sweden. Lidl has been singled out as a particular target for the boycott campaign.
Mo Ghannam from BDS Sweden states that Lidl is accused of supporting the “Zionist” state of Israel through the actions of its owners.
– They support and advocate the Zionist project, which is the colonial settler state of Israel. That is why we call them Zionists – we base it on their own words and actions, says Mo Ghannam at BDS Sweden, to Sydsvenskan.
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Lidl is cooperating with the police
The Palestinian movement’s boycott is not only aimed at Lidl, but also at other companies such as Espresso House and McDonald’s. However, Lidl has emphasized that the company does not take a position in political conflicts and that they are dismayed by the situation in the Middle East.
With a dialogue with the police and heightened preparedness, Lidl is now trying to face the threat of further actions. The company is following the situation closely and has reported several previous incidents to the police to protect both employees and customers from further incidents.
– Our thoughts go out to those affected by the conflict. We reject all forms of violence. Lidl does not and has never taken a stand for war, we always protect everyone’s equal rights and value, concludes the press service in an email to Dagligvarunytt.
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