French Muslims Call for Boycott of Halal Brands Accused of Supporting Israel

Tough times for halal brands deemed pro-Israel. On TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), French Muslims, including influencers, are calling through videos to boycott these brands, whom they accuse of supporting the Israeli army in its retaliation against Hamas, which carried out a spectacular and surprise attack on October 7. They have in their sights the halal products of the brands Isla Délice, Reghalal or Wassila. These calls for boycotts, which have been launched throughout the year, have been intensified after the outbreak of the war between the Hebrew state and the Palestinian movement.

The accusations are not limited to support for Israel. There are other factors that justify the calls for boycott: doubts about the authenticity of the "halal" certificate. In 2014, the halal products of mass retail brands like Réghalal, Isla Délice or Wassila were already blacklisted. At the time, one of the brands had issued a statement to ensure that there was no link with Israel. "The company Zaphir, which markets the Isla Délice brand, belongs to a Frenchman. The company is also French and in no way Israeli," Isla Délice had assured.

Founded in 1990 by Jean-Daniel Herzog through his company Zaphyr, Isla Délice is one of the best-selling halal brands in France. The British investment fund Perwyn, owned by the Perrodo family who made their fortune in oil, had acquired the brand in 2018. The Wassila brand, which has recently become the leader in the halal catering market, does not belong to an Israeli either. Rather to the Casino group, which is in the process of being dismantled to be taken over by Auchan and Intermarché.