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Rabat – Gaza Cola is a new soft drink launched by Palestinian activist Osama Qashoo as a way to support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and raise awareness about the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
Gaza Cola was created in November of 2023 to challenge major corporations, particularly Coca-Cola, for supporting Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza. The drink is designed to offer an alternative to products that Qashoo says fuel the Israeli forces and contribute to the oppression of Palestinians.
Although created a year ago, the protest beverage has recently gained social media channels as the company only started marketing on Instagram this past September. Gaza Cola was also featured in a recent article by Al Jazeera, further elevating the brand in international media circles.
Qashoo, who is also the co-founder of London-based Palestinian restaurant Hiba Express, said that the drink has a deeper purpose than just offering a refreshing beverage, Al Jazeera reported.
The beverage is marketed with strong symbols of Palestinian identity, including the Palestinian flag and keffiyeh. The drink has gained attention for its political stance, as the profits from its sales are directed towards multiple humanitarian vital efforts, including rebuilding a maternity ward in Gaza.
Qashoo said that the main reason for creating Gaza Cola was to boycott companies that support the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) and the ongoing violence in Gaza. But he also hopes that by creating Gaza Cola, he can offer a “guilt-free” alternative to popular cola brands like Coca-Cola, which has been criticized for operating in Israel.
“To find a guilt-free, genocide-free kind of taste. The real taste of freedom,” he Qashoo, who also runs “Palestine House,” a gathering space for Palestinians and their supporters in London.
He believes that if people stop buying from companies that support Israeli actions, it will make a difference in the financial support Israel receives. So far, Gaza Cola has sold over 500,000 cans, and all the profits are being donated to rebuild a hospital in Gaza.
Qashoo’s new initiative is gaining traction among people who want to support Palestine through their consumer choices. The products have been featured at pro-Gaza protests in London and are also available for purchase online.
Gaza Cola is one of several Palestinian brands aiming to replace the drinks of international companies that operate in Israel.
The boycott campaign has had negative impacts on several companies and brands, including McDonald’s, which saw its first quarterly decline in same-store sales since the COVID-19 crisis in 2020. Other major companies targeted by the boycott include Starbucks, KFC, Burger King, Carrefour, among others.
The ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza has claimed the lives of around 44,250 Palestinians since October 2023.
