Woolworths of South Africa on Monday expressed concern about the safety of its customers and employees following claims of abuse by Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) activists.

“Our employees of all faiths and cultures tell us that they are feeling increasingly threatened by the protests in and around some of our stores,” it said in a statement quoted by the South African news website Times Live.

“What’s more, the families of our employees have reported being abused and sworn at by BDS activists,” the statement said.

Security had been increased at stores and the retailer would consider taking legal action against the individuals involved should the abuse continue, according to the report.

“As much as BDS have the right to protest, our employees also have the basic right to work and our customers have the right to shop without feeling intimidated and abused by protesters,” said Woolworths.

BDS initiated a campaign to boycott the chain over its trade relations with Israel following the war in Gaza.

The statement came a day after Woolworths threatened to take the BDS movement to court over threats by the activists which, the chain said, have put the safety of staff and customers “at risk”.

Woolworths spokesman Babs Dlamini told Times Live on Sunday that “our customers have been supportive [and] sales continue to increase, year on year” despite the protests.

She said Woolworths was not sure why it was being targeted because “more than 95% of our food is sourced locally [and] the government continues to authorize trade with Israel”.

South Africa has frequently been critical of Israel and has claimed that it is applying a policy of “apartheid” towards Palestinian Arabs. Last June, the former South African ambassador to Israel rejected a symbolic gift from the Israeli government, planting trees in his honor in a national park named after South Africa.

He explained that Israeli policies which, he claims, discriminate against Arabs appeared to be reminiscent of his experiences under South Africa’s apartheid system.

South Africa has also imposed rules requiring that goods imported from Judea, Samaria and eastern Jerusalem display special labels.

At the same time, South African president Jacob Zuma has emphasized that his government is committed to combating anti-Semitism.

Zuma, while voicing outrage over civilian deaths in Israel’s campaign in Gaza, has distanced himself from calls to expel the Israeli ambassador from South Africa.