Update: Ireland's SuperValu takes Israeli carrots off shelves
Clarification: SuperValu has since denied that the removal was politically motivated. Click here to read more.
Irish supermarket chain SuperValu has taken Israeli products off the shelves in response to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, website Herald.ie reported. 
A source from the retailer told the publication most of the products were fruits and vegetables, especially carrots and herbs.
The story reported the announcement was made via a group-wide email to the chain's 232 stores on Friday.
"The above product (carrots) is being withdrawn from sale. There is no Food Safety or Quality Issue associated with this withdrawal," the notice was quoted as saying on Friday.
On Friday, Ireland's Mandate Trade Union called on all the country's retail employers to desist from "trading, investment or other commercial links with companies operating in, providing services to, or sourcing goods from [the illegal] settlements” in the region of Israel".
The union is the largest of its kind for retail workers in the European country.
"Irish people are appalled by scenes permeating daily from Gaza. We are asking retail employers to take whatever steps they can to positively impact on the current conflict in order to protect lives and prevent further alleged human rights abuses," said Mandate assistant general secretary Gerry Light said in a letter.
"Adopting such a course of action will without doubt greatly help the most vulnerable caught up in the conflict but also assist your many customers and staff who on an increasing basis are faced with a dilemma of conscience in dealing with products which they see as tainted by association."
Gaza's Health Ministry said Sunday that the Palestinian death toll from the fighting stood at 1,800 with 10,000 wounded, according to CNN.
It added 64 Israeli soldiers and three civilians had died since the recent conflict started three weeks ago.
Irish groups have been active in the past in addressing political issues through boycotts of goods, including a movement against apartheid in South Africa in the 1980s.
Photo: www.shutterstock.com
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