French app certifies shops boycotting settlement-linked products

Pierre-Amael Noailly Charny launched the Gaza Friendly application in June 2025. The Lyon-based pediatrician created the tool with friends to certify shopkeepers boycotting products from occupied Palestinian territories. The initiative targets companies supporting Israeli settlement expansion through a digital platform.

The app currently lists eighty businesses across France. These include butchers, restaurants, bakeries, caterers, tea rooms, and food distributors. An interactive map helps consumers locate certified shops near their homes. The list is updated regularly to reflect new participants in the campaign.

Shopkeepers must follow a strict three-point charter to gain certification. They cannot sell beverages from the Coca-Cola Company or PepsiCo. They must also refuse fresh products imported from Israeli settlements. This approach draws inspiration from the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement launched in 2005.

Activists argue these brands support oppression through commercial ties. Reports indicate Coca-Cola operates facilities in the Atarot settlement. PepsiCo faces criticism for owning Israeli brands like SodaStream. Both companies declined to respond to requests for comment regarding these specific allegations about their operations.

Akli, owner of Aid Boucherie Halal in Creteil, joined in September. He stopped selling targeted sodas after customers raised concerns. Akli reported that his business remains strong despite the changes. He noted a slight increase in customer numbers since removing the controversial products from his shelves.

The initiative promotes alternative drinks like Pales Drinks and Palestine Cola. These brands donate portions of profits to humanitarian aid in Palestine. Online retailer Jebalia distributes these alternatives and holds certification. Organizers aim to expand the network internationally while encouraging more visibility for the boycott.