Faith

NYC Food Co-Op Votes ‘No’ on Holding Vote to Ban Israeli Products

On Monday, The Blaze reported that New York City’s Park Slope Food Co-Op was considering a referendum that could have led to a ban on goods from Israel such as hummus, paprika, and olive spread. The contention, of course, was over some members’ feelings that goods from Israel should be removed from shelves in protest over the nation’s “occupation” of Palestinian lands. On Tuesday, though, the majority of attendees voted down setting an official vote on a boycott.

(Related: One of Nation’s Oldest, Largest Food Co-Ops Holding Vote on Banning Israeli Products)

Members of the grocery store voted 1,005 to 653 against putting an official vote on the schedule, as the majority maintained that banning Israeli products would unfairly target the Middle Eastern nation. The contentious vote — which had the largest attendance of any co-op meeting to date — was held at Brooklyn Technical High School, where Jewish media and anxious members coalesced to discuss the issues at hand.

WPIX-TV has more:

 

People on both sides of the debate made their voices heard regarding what should be done. The divide, of course, was stark. From those who believe wholeheartedly that Israel is wrong in its standing in Middle Eastern politics to those who saw a proposed ban as discriminatory, opinions ran across a wide spectrum.

“If you don’t like something don’t buy it — but keep politics out of the Co-op,” said Levi Capland, a member of the Park Slope Food Co-Op.

“I feel I have a moral responsibility to vote for [the ban] because of a trip I took to Palestine,” countered attendee Dennis James.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg also weighed in on the potential ban, saying that the proposal has “nothing to do with the food.”

“The issue is there are people who want Israel to be torn apart and everybody to be massacred, and America is not going to let that happen,” Bloomberg said.

Apparently, this isn’t the first time that such a boycott has been proposed. BrooklynPaper.com has more:

Members first proposed the boycott — which would have cleaned the shelves of about six products such as Osem couscous and Meditalia basil pesto — three years ago in the store newsletter.

It’s not the first time the 1,600-member shop has voted to ban products. The Park Slope Food Co-op banned South African products during apartheid and, more recently, plastic bags.

In an effort to make light of a contentious situation, The Daily Show’s Samantha Bee tackled the situation, which was aired on Tuesday night. Here’s the clip:

As The Blaze originally reported, the attempted boycott was part of an international advocacy effort called the “Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement,“ or ”BDS,” which is modeled after the international boycott against South African apartheid.

The co-op was founded in 1973 and its members have a reputation for being socially-conscious. Each individual who calls him or herself a member must conduct a work shift of two hours and 45 minutes every four weeks in order to shop at the co-op, reports JTA.

Comments (38)

  • Moozmom
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 5:26pm

    NYC Food Coop is helping fulfill Bible prophecy.

    Report Post »  
  • Windsong
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 3:32pm

    Now that there is a worldwide movement for honor and freedom, entrepreneurs have been provided a great gift. They now will be able to open a company in almost any country and provide food to Israel and everyone else, regardless of race, religion or class.

    Americans who are currently being held back from providing food to the poor and homeless in the United States will simply send their money – and spend their time – feeding the poor and homeless in other Nations, who invite their help.

    Nothing worse than a Company that decides to play ‘god’ to the people in this world. Nothing worse than working for a Company that is willing to sell their soul because of inner hatred.

    I guess all the rest of us can do is spend our money elsewhere – and pray for the individuals in this Company who seem to have lost their humanity.

    Report Post »  
  • steveh931
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 1:26pm

    61% say “nay”, does the heart some good.

    Report Post » steveh931  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on March 28, 2012 at 2:38pm

      One day i hope they do diverst.till israel gets right ethically and legally[goes back to the 67borders].That it is even on the consciousness of some americans is progress as it would not have been even 10yrs ago. Such is the power of the right wing zionists which have saturated the american media with a false narrative about the conflict.so this is actually progress considering what the truth is up against vis a vis the media in this country.

      Report Post »  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on March 28, 2012 at 2:41pm

      I guess if one doesn’t like the outcome of the vote they can shop elsewhere.

      Report Post »  
    • Hollywood
      Posted on March 28, 2012 at 4:38pm

      God will BLESS those who BLESS Israel,and Curse those who don’t. Those who don’t are of their father,satan!

      Report Post » Hollywood  
    • steveh931
      Posted on March 28, 2012 at 7:20pm

      ROSE-ELLEN,

      You might want to study the history of Israel from the beginning and try to understand the torment that Israel has faced over the centuries, even to this day. Israel is a God fearing nation and always will be. There are Muslims that live throughout Israel in peace and support the Israeli government. The so called Palestinians are refugees from the surrounding Arab nations after the war of 1948. Ask yourself why the surrounding Arab countries refuse their own? If the refugees were allowed back into the surrounding Arab nations there would be no cause for the destruction of Israel or the call for the 1967 borders which would leave Israel defenseless.

      Report Post » steveh931  
  • HotFixIt
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 1:24pm

    The fact that 653 voted FOR the boycot scares me more than anything! It gives an idea of how much hate and misinfomation is really out there. The people are so misinformed the don’t even understand what they are voting about.

    Sad and scary at the same time.

    Report Post »  
    • girlfromarkansas
      Posted on March 28, 2012 at 2:11pm

      I am so glad that the people commenting here have commons sense. I stand with Israel period. A person would have to be blind not to see what is going on there. All the propaganda that is being spread about Israel and the lies is what most stupid people listen to. And forget about reading a un-bias news report on mainstream media they are all controlled and paid for. They pay people to blog lies and propaganda until they can make any lie seem like the truth.

      Report Post »  
    • db321
      Posted on March 28, 2012 at 4:31pm

      Hotfix – I know what you mean – I know a man that is a good guy, he helps charities, he volunteers, he is a good family man, he is a generous employer. This good man will never see the Gates of Heaven! This man promotes that Israel should go back to 1967 borders – this man spreads lies about Israel and promises to turn him back on the Jews.

      God in the Bible could not be more clear “What you do to Israel and the Jewish People God will do to you” This man will spend eternity wondering around aimlessly looking for home.

      Then again – if God means what he say’s – then America would have drug lords and criminals lined up on our borders waiting to come in and destroy us! I’m glad our borders are safe!

      Report Post » db321  
    • paulrogers
      Posted on March 31, 2012 at 1:24pm

      If these idiots only knew how many useful and good products had been developed by Israel and Jewish people, they would be shocked. I wonder how many know it was a Jewish person who developed aspirin. We would be very poor indeed were it not for the things these wonderful people have provided for us.

      Report Post »  
  • ICEDRAGONNITE
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 1:22pm

    These people want world peace so if they just have a pity party for Hamas and such all will be fine, get Israel to say ok to letting the PLO and Hamas in to their country and all will be well in the world. The peace treaty will be fine and the left will assure it will not be broken.
    Yeah like Hitler and Chamberland. When Chamberland got off the plane waving a piece of paper and said world peace is here! What a DUMB, DUMB. These people are just as stupid.

    Report Post » ICEDRAGONNITE  
  • TH30PH1LUS
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 12:26pm

    LIBERALS are snuggling up to the Islamic Jihad movement because they share an equal hatred for America and Israel.

    Report Post » TH30PH1LUS  
  • ShiningCityGirl
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 11:43am

    For those of you asking – “Where does all of this hate come from?”… Nobody explained this better than Glenn Beck.

    The ‘hatred’ toward the Jewish people has NOTHING to do with ANYTHING ELSE, except for ONE THING… “In The Beginning” God made a covenant with the Jewish people that He would protect them. If you GET RID of the Jewish people, you GET RID OF GOD… And THAT is their goal!

    It ALWAYS goes back to ‘eliminating’ the Jewish people for ONE SIMPLE REASON… If you can eliminate them, you have ‘erased’ God’s word… If you erase God’s word, than there is “no God”… and if there is no God, EVIL PREVAILS.

    Report Post »  
    • paulrogers
      Posted on March 31, 2012 at 1:26pm

      I have news for you all. God has protected them time and time again. God will never be eliminated. Lucifer tried that and he lost.

      Report Post »  
  • singray
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 10:55am

    One of those speaking on why he supports this ban “I must support this ban after visiting Palistine”. If life is so bad for these people maybe the question he should be asking “where has the billions the American Taxpayers have sent here gone”. They have a hate for a whole group of people. Just as they hate Conservatives. They claim they are only responding to Racist, Bigoted people. They just mirror their leader. It is all someone elses fault. They are the haters. We can compromise if they would just agree with us. We are running on extremes. The edges of these groups are pushing the agenda. The gays, Women health (abortion), illegal immigration, unions and the many other progressive agendas are not about us accepting them. It is about us thinking like them. And because we don’t, they hate us.

    Report Post »  
  • thibx
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 10:49am

    these people who vote against israel no matter who they are president, congress, news media, grocery stores or whoever know nothing about israel or JESUS or the BIBLE. there are a lot of ignorant people in the world but in the usa there is no excuse buy a Bible and learn. it is history and it is a love letter from God to the Jew and all man kind. After death judgement set.

    Report Post »  
  • Mrs. Bowers
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 10:48am

    It’s hard to like these sanctimonious airheads. It’s a food store plain and simple, stick to food only. Stay out of politics.

    Report Post »  
  • Linny
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 9:42am

    Our enemy is smart by not exposing themself. Hitler exposed himself and those who stood against his evil brought his regime down. We the People, need to find this evil mastermind to stop the evil and madness they are thrusting upon the USA and world today.

    Report Post » Linny  
  • Sirfoldallot
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 9:31am

    Never have I seen this free country so selective, what happen 2 us ?

    Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
  • whereareyourbrains
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 9:01am

    well covered. Love the way the Journalist covered the story.

    Report Post » whereareyourbrains  
    • oldguy49
      Posted on March 28, 2012 at 9:26am

      sounds like the muslim brotherhood is trying all tactics to get israel…….did not say who brought this up

      Report Post »  
  • whereareyourbrains
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 8:53am

    I am stupid. I can not see why anyone hates Israel. I know some history. Come on. You should be wary of countries that attack us. Did Israel attack us? Or is this people that are from Iran and other eastern countries that hate Israel. Why do American hate Israel.

    Report Post » whereareyourbrains  
    • kentuckypatriot
      Posted on March 28, 2012 at 9:00am

      I have been askin that same question friend, More importantly, why the world seems to hate the Jews. They never did anything to me or my family. Is it because of the stereotype of them having “ all the money”?

      Report Post » kentuckypatriot  
    • SoupSandwich
      Posted on March 28, 2012 at 9:14am

      I be dumberer. This is akin to the reparations argument-look at the mayoral discussion before thuggie Rham took over in Chicago-every candidate weighed in on reparations, and I just don’t get it.
      If you hate the Jews or Israeli’s, don’t support them or their products-done and over. Why push your agenda on someone else? The pissant Paleostanians should buck up and take the “occupied” land back that the Israeli’s use as a buffer. Zero cajones other than to lob home made crap into schools or busses. Classy people, and they are under our democratic tent now? LGBLT, NBP, Nation of islam, OWS, Aethiests, and Hamas and the hezzbo’s under the D tent. We are upside down. Our father’s Democrat is an endangered species. We used to be able to talk to democrats-these people I just don’t understand and am very tired of even trying.

      Report Post »  
    • Sirfoldallot
      Posted on March 28, 2012 at 10:06am

      Jew’s = 1st slaves, jewish ppl = our friends over there, nazi hate = jews, , Iran hate = jews. Me, I like to know where all this hate came from , oh Evil = Hate !

      Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
    • TheLiberalsAreComing
      Posted on March 28, 2012 at 10:08am

      Nothing unifies evil people like a common hatred, and the leader must fan the flames of that hatred.
      Hitler understood that, Muslims understand that, Obama understands that.

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 8:30am

    “If you don’t like something don’t buy it — but keep politics out of the Co-op,” said Levi Capland, a member of the Park Slope Food Co-Op.

    How true!
    I am glad there are still many who will support Israel even if Obama has thrown them to the wolves.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • cwrink
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 8:02am

    New International Version (©1984)
    God speaking to the people of Israel. “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:3 I am not Jewish but a believer in Jesus Christ. Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. One day we will all give account for every word and deed..

    Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 7:59am

    .
    They should have voted to ban themselves………..

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • lynnissmart
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 7:59am

    This is all part of the left’s movement against Israel….nothing more……..hey lefties there is no Palestine!!! S c h m u c k s.!

    Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on March 28, 2012 at 2:41pm

      but there are arabs where european zionists now are.and that is ethnic cleansing .

      Report Post »  
    • tzion
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:46pm

      @Rose
      There are American Indians where Americans now are. Is that ethnic cleansing? There are Europeans living where Holocaust survivors used to live having never even paid them for their land. In contrast, all Israelis live on land that was either bought, unowned, or in some cases abandoned. If you are going to demand that Israelis leave their homes then you must also insist that all Europeans living on land that was stolen during the Holocaust vacate the land and return it to the rightful owners.

      My dad once said “Two wrongs don’t make a right”. You “solution” is nothing short of an “eye for an eye” approach that would just create more bitterness. To the Israelis living there that land is theirs. They built it up, built homes, schools, synagogues, and businesses there, and have set up a community. Do you really think driving them out would solve anything?

      Report Post »  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 7:56am

    the minority have no knowledge of truth and are obnoxious, in your face all of the time. They need to sit down, shut up, and enjoy the free ride.

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on March 28, 2012 at 7:49am

    Let’s all vote not to buy oil from countries with abysmal human rights records. cricket…cricket…cricket.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • LouC57
      Posted on March 28, 2012 at 7:57am

      Gonzo, I hear ya loud and clear! Agreed!

      Report Post »  

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