Kosher wine under threat

Britain’s new ban on goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank could remove a significant range of wines from UK shelves, particularly from the specialist kosher market.

The ban, announced by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, targets goods produced in settlements rather than Israeli products generally. For wine, that could mean the loss of brands including Psagot, Shiloh and Gush Etzion, all currently sold in Britain.

Aaron Schapiro, owner of London-based Arele’s Kosher Wines, told the Jerusalem Post that many Israeli wines stocked by UK stores come from settlement wineries. If imports are prohibited, he said, he expects to lose more than half of his inventory.

Other producers, including Tura, Gvaot and Hevron Heights, also have wines on the UK market and could be affected. The precise impact will depend on the new rules defining the origin of wine and grapes.

The ban is expected to take effect within months, giving importers time to assess their ranges.