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Friday, July 16, 2010

BDS'ers succeed - in hurting Palestinian Arabs

From the website of the U.S. Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel:

Corrado’s, a large family-owned supermarket, in Clifton, NJ, agreed to stop selling “Jordan Valley” dried dates–Product of Israel. This happened after repeated complaints to two of the younger owner/family members. It definitely helps to be a regular customer to have some say and the possible threat of widespread boycott. It is interesting to note that I had “help” from some of the employees who were from the Middle East who shared my opinions but was too “afraid” to challenge the management. In the end, the Corrados were quite gracious about removing the Israelil products. Sadly, they told me that the wholesaler of the “Made in Israel” products was a Palestinian Arab. Sigh.
The Arab League, in what was probably its first act after forming in 1945, boycotted Jewish businesses in Palestine.

That boycott ended up hurting Palestinian Arabs much more than it hurt Jews. Yet when the Arabs challenged the boycott, they ended up becoming victims of terrorists who were keen on enforcing it - often with "boycott bombs."

It is nice to see that the BDS movement today shares that same mentality. They say they want to help Palestinian Arabs by hurting Israel - yet hurting Palestinian Arabs is no problem at all, as long as you can claim a "victory."

(I wonder if any members of the Passaic Jewish community shop at Corrado's - it might be worth talking to the owner.)

(h/t Divest This!)