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BDS France criticizes Jamel Debbouze’s restaurant for serving Israeli wines
France’s chapter of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement has sharply criticized “Dar Mima,” the upscale Moroccan restaurant co-founded by Moroccan-French actor Jamel Debbouze in Paris, for including Israeli wines on its menu. The controversy highlights the restaurant’s ties to a contentious issue amid escalating violence in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
BDS France demands removal of Israeli wines
In a letter dated August 8 and made public this week, BDS France condemned the decision to serve wines from Israel, particularly those sourced from the Golan Heights, which it described as “Syrian territory illegally annexed by Israel.” The group accused the restaurant of complicity in the exploitation of resources from occupied territories, warning that such actions could constitute violations of international law.
“This choice is incomprehensible,” the letter stated, citing the wines’ “mediocre” quality, their incompatibility with the Arabic cultural setting of the restaurant, and the potential political motivations behind the decision.
The group also questioned why the restaurant’s wine list was not published on its website, suggesting it might be an attempt to conceal its controversial offerings.
BDS France’s campaign escalates in the context of Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, which have drawn widespread criticism and calls for accountability.
Dar Mima faces mounting pressure
Dar Mima, which opened in 2023 atop the Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) in Paris, is a tribute to Jamel Debbouze’s mother, Fatima, affectionately known as “Mima.” The restaurant combines Moroccan culinary traditions with an upscale dining experience.
Debbouze, a celebrated comedian and actor, described the project as a way to honor his mother’s passion for cooking and her desire to share Moroccan culture. “After giving my mother the opportunity to stop working, a restaurant was the best gift I could give her,” he told Le Figaro during the restaurant’s launch.
Despite the restaurant’s cultural significance, BDS France’s campaign has placed Debbouze in a difficult position. As of now, the restaurant has not responded to the letter or addressed the group’s demands.
Gaza atrocities fuel the backlash
The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of Israel’s devastating military campaign in Gaza. Since October 2023, Israeli operations have killed over 62,000 Palestinians and injured more than 156,000, according to OCHA.
The Israeli blockade has pushed most areas of Gaza into famine, with at least 269 deaths from malnutrition, including 112 children. Attacks on health care facilities have reached unprecedented levels, with the World Health Organization documenting 772 strikes on medical centers within Gaza.
Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces have intensified their activities. This year alone, 168 Palestinians, including 37 children, have been killed, with illegal settlement expansion continuing unabated.
A global boycott movement
The BDS movement, launched in 2005, calls for economic pressure on Israel to end its violations of Palestinian rights. Its campaigns target Israeli businesses, cultural institutions, and international companies complicit in Israel’s policies, including the exploitation of occupied territories.
BDS France’s criticism of Dar Mima underscores the broader goals of the movement. By targeting high-profile establishments like Debbouze’s restaurant, it seeks to amplify the conversation around Israel’s actions and encourage compliance with international law.
As the situation in Gaza and the West Bank worsens, debates over cultural and economic ties to Israel are likely to intensify, keeping businesses like Dar Mima in the spotlight.
