One of Nation’s Oldest, Largest Food Co-Ops Holding Vote on Banning Israeli Products
- Posted on March 26, 2012 at 12:37pm by
Erica Ritz
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New York’s Park Slope Food Co-Op, one of the oldest and biggest of its kind, is holding a vote Tuesday to determine whether it will hold a referendum on boycotting goods from Israel. The New York Post explains:
Some anti-Israel members want products made in Israel off the trendy Brooklyn food-cooperative’s shelves in protest of that country’s occupation of Palestinian territories.
However, others say the idea stinks of anti-Semitism and goes against the 39-year-old Union Street co-op’s mission statement of commitment to ‘diversity and equality.’
[...]
If a majority of members attending shoot the down the referendum proposal, it’s dead and the co-op can continue selling Israel-imported products like the popular-selling Sodastream seltzer maker, bath salts and paprika.
But if there’s enough support, the issue will be decided in the coming months through a mail-ballot referendum distributed to [the] co-op’s 16,000 members.
The attempted boycott is 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.
BDS’ website elaborates:
For decades, Israel has denied Palestinians their fundamental rights of freedom, equality, and self-determination through ethnic cleansing, colonization, racial discrimination, and military occupation. Despite abundant condemnation of Israeli policies by the UN, other international bodies, and preeminent human rights organisations, the world community has failed to hold Israel accountable and enforce compliance with basic principles of law. Israel’s crimes have continued with impunity.
In view of this continued failure, Palestinian civil society called for a global citizens’ response…a clear majority of Palestinian civil society [has] called upon their counterparts and people of conscience all over the world to launch broad boycotts, implement divestment initiatives, and to demand sanctions against Israel, until Palestinian rights are recognised in full compliance with international law.
The campaign for boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) is shaped by a rights-based approach and highlights the three broad sections of the Palestinian people: the refugees, those under military occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and Palestinians in Israel. The call urges various forms of boycott against Israel until it meets its obligations under international law by:
- Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands occupied in June 1967 and dismantling the Wall;
- Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and
- Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN Resolution 194.
BDS is holding a "global day of action" on March 30 (Photo: BDS)
Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, a member of the Palestinian Parliament who supports the BDS movement, said of it: “We believe this campaign is for the sake of both Palestinians and the Israelis, because it would help us liberate ourselves from the last segregation and occupation system in the world. And it would help liberate the Israelis from the last colonial settlement system in modern history.”
Reactions at the Park Slope Food Co-Op have been mixed.
Jessica Rosenberg, a member of the co-op, says she supports BDS until Israel “ends the occupation” and provides “right of return” for Palestinians. Another, Linda Katz, says that she does not support the boycott because it is not the most effective way to peace.
“We have to decide what our real intent is,” she continued. “Is it anti-Israel or is it pro-peace?”
Democracy Now met with members of the Co-Op:
But Israel’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Danny Ayalon offers another perspective on the peace process and “right to return.” You can watch him explain in one of his whiteboard videos below:
According to the Post, the turnout for the co-op’s monthly meeting is expected to be high. So high, in fact, that it’s been moved from a small neighborhood synagogue (ironically) to the Brooklyn Technical High School, which seats 3,000.
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Comments (106)
Tri-ox
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:27pmHey – liberals will do anything to help obama.
Report Post »timeout
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 5:26pmWhat exactly does Israel export to this “coop”? I will buy from Israel in a heart beat….boycott “coop”.
Report Post »ghostsouls
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 6:33pmJust do the exact opposite of what they say, Buycott Israel, Advertise on Rush Limbaugh. Boycott those that left Rush Limbaugh, etc….There is suppose to be a big campaign coming with ads in like 10 states to try to get Limbaugh off the air…if you see the ad, call the station and say Don’t take it off… Just do the opposite and it will all work out.
Report Post »Jim S
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 7:52pmEnding its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands occupied in June 1967 and dismantling the Wall
..Gee,that’s kinda an odd date ?…wonder why June and not say…August or September?..Oh wait a minute. I remember now, Israel was invaded be it’s neighbors…actually the second time they were invaded by their “neighbors”…and I think Israel thought getting invaded was a bad thing for their “Human Rights”…so they kept some land that their “neighbors” had invaded from…you know like …to the victor goes the spoils….how come Jordan isn’t a “homeland” ?…
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 11:42pmNothing against Israel… but I’ve been there… and they do not have anything that I want! And, this goes… Double… and in Spades… for any Muslim or African Country!
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 4:35pmHey, Park Slope… you’re on my list. I’m not boycotting, I’m just making an educated choice. An my education tells me, you are not a friend to me.
Report Post »NHwinter
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:27pmI’m so tired of these little minded people calling for boycotts. There are tons of us that would like to boycott everything Iranian, Palastinian, Made in China!!!!! I’m sick of loud mouths taking sides. It has never been this bad in America. Throw all the Obama administration OUT in November! I pray our Republic returns and civility also returns to America. God bless the America I grew up in and restore us in Your Mercy.
Report Post »NHwinter
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:35pmI meant boycotts of Israel. Certainly would not shop at Park Slope Food!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »EndTheFedNOW
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 2:06pmI just wish Israel would tell the truth about how she (on puropse) blew up the USS Liberty and killed 35 American saliors. Then tried to blame Egypt to get us to go to war. Think im lying?
http://www.gtr5.com/
Go read the quotes from our State Dept and head of our Navy
Report Post »tzion
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 2:20pm@endthefed
Why would Israel even try that? Do you really believe that Israel would be stupid enough to try and pass off their French-built Mirage aircraft for the Russian-built Egyptian Migs? And when you add to that the fact that the Egyptian air force had been completely decimated during Israel’s preemptive strike it makes it seem even more ridiculous. 1967 was during the height of the Cold War. Wouldn’t any Navy officer therefore be able to recognize a Russian-built plane.
Your argument is ridiculous because there is no way Israel could have ever pulled off that crazy stunt.
Report Post »Knightlight78
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 3:00pm@EndTheFedNOW
By June 8th Israel had already wiped out most of Egypt’s tanks and fighter jets and practically won the war. Israel could have made to Cairo with no one stoping it. The war was already won so why on earth would Israel want the US to attack the already defeated Egypt?
You Paulbots never make any sense.
Report Post »EndTheFedNOW
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 3:10pmLOL if you do some research you can learn all kinds of things. I stand with the people of Israel, not their stupid/evil government. (as is ours) Now Warrior4zion, you are the IDIOT who said we need to get rid of the constutition and basically inprison all Paulbots. so your not even worth a response. Im sure you work for the Isralie government. You can go to hell. The day we throw out our constution is the day I die. I know the importance of Israel. And I support her going to war with Iran. Just leave us out of it. But it is a fact that Israel bombed a united states ship and killed 35 people. Go read that website. Go do some reasearch. I beg you. If you think im lying prove me wrong.
Report Post »EndTheFedNOW
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 3:12pmOh my bad, I thought you were warriorforzion, not tzion. MY BAD.
Report Post »EndTheFedNOW
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 11:32pmhttp://www.haaretz.com/news/national/hundreds-of-israelis-march-in-tel-aviv-to-protest-war-with-iran-1.420510
Report Post »OklahomaBound
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 11:33pmEndTheFedNOW
Report Post »Anti Semite Pault@rd alert!
EndTheFedNOW
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 11:37amlol, again, I stand with the people of Israel, not their stupid/evil government the lies 24/7. I know how important Israel is. I support her going to war with Iran. LOL when they cant prove you wrong, they call you a racist. LOL LOSER!
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:27pmI’ll never spend a dime in a Park Slope Food Co-Op.
Next!
Report Post »Glock31
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:41pmexactly, boycott the boycotters
Report Post »EqualJustice
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 3:06pmGlad they put the NAME out there so I can NOT BUY anything from them. Thanks. :)
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:26pmAren’t co-ops Socialist entities? If I were living in New York, I’d have no problem boycotting them for their hateful rhetoric. Hopefully, their members will vote a resounding NO. If they don’t then at least you know who all the socialist, communist are and can shun them accordingly.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:24pmWhen people recognize that there are NO such thing as Palestinian people, then we will be on the road to solve this issue. People here in the U.S. are so gullible that they will believe anything anyone says without checking out the facts.
Some believe the former Philistines are the modern day Palestinian’s, however in reading history and assuming I understood correctly, the Philistines were actually Egyptians who moved into the Gaza area. Palestine is a region, it encompasses southern parts of Israel up to an including parts of Syria and Jordan. When the Jews were released under King Darius, I believe, they returned to Israel, along with other non-Jews refugees. The land NEVER belonged to the Palestinian people because there is no such thing. You can call yourself anything you want, it does not make it so. If you really want to get technical everyone who lives in Israel, Gaza, Jordan, Syria regardless of religious views are Palestinians.
Liberals before you jump on the band wagon of apartheid, please understand what it means and learn the complete history of the middle east before you jump on a bandwagon you might not want to be on. You always seem to be on the wrong side of HISTORY, perhaps that is why you are always doomed to repeat it.
Report Post »Micmac
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:37pmExactly, and well said.
Amazing what ignorance breeds.
NoBama 2012
Report Post »jeffile
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 12:12pmIn the present day context, aren’t indigenous Jews of the are known as Palestine also Palestinians? If that is the case then the indigenous Arabs have no argument and thus no claim to any land in Israel.
Report Post »BlackCrow
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:23pmFine. Let the GOOD farmers of the country boycott that grocery. They will be in business till their stock runs out.
Report Post »Micmac
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:16pmSounds like the Co-Op is being co-oped.
NoBama 2012
Report Post »JRook
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:22pmOr sounds like it is time for Israel to actually move towards a real and sustaining peace.
Report Post »randy
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:30pm@JROOK My God, are you an idiot? The only peace you and people like you would be happy with is if Israel was wiped off the map. Go pedal your Shlt somewhere else! I stand and will fight for Israel
Report Post »Micmac
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:34pm@ JROOK
Sophomoronic response. And they haven’t tried? Where ya been for the last 1/2 century? You can‘t negotiate with multiple moving targets that frankly can’t make peace when what they want is extermination per Calaphate (and world-wide, too).
Please show me where there were Palestinians in 1900. Not Philistines, but Palestinians.
The one thing they don’t teach in college is common sense (not directed at you btw).
NoBama 2012
Report Post »tzion
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 2:23pm@jrook
Report Post »And the Palestinians sit back and let Israel do all the work? Peace is a two way street and the Palestinian “government” has taken every step to avoid peace.
shogun459
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 3:10pm@JROOK
Have you forgotten that these are the people that danced in the streets on 9/11?
Go back and read your history and read a book published more than 40 years ago. The “Palistinian Refugees” Left their homes in Israel Just before the war started with the promise that they would get the jews property and homes when the war was over and all the jews were dead.
Report Post »When that didn’t happen they where SOL and none of their Arab or Persian relations would let them settle in their countries. They were not allowed to assimilate anywhere.
They are the CatsPaw of their cousins for whom they bleed.
Micmac
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:15pm…And it would help liberate the Israelis from the last colonial settlement system in modern history.”
————————————————————————————-
This is a blatent move against Israel and who thinks anyone is being fooled? Just more Muzlym influence on the US. Inroads being made.
Divide and conquer is the strategy here and this is a result of the NoBama administration’s attitude of shunning Israel and sycophants following the Piper.
As a nation we are in GREAT trouble, because soooo many people just don’t get, don’t care to get it, or for PC reasons totally support NoBama’s destructive plan as useless idiots (which he has).
Scary scary times. To my suprise I found out this weekend that all my family members have been purchasing guns and ammo, and storing them as a contingency… and they aren’t conservative, but see the where we are trending.
NoBama 2012
Report Post »Obama 2012 = Utopian USSA.
abbygirl1994
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:11pmI think it is time to boycott Park Slope Food Co-op!! Lets vote on it!! Come on New Yorker’s are you people ever going to wake up! Have you become so blind at to what is going on that do care about the outcome?? Pesonally.. I find Park Slope Un-Godly.. Shame shame on you Park Slope! Lord in Heaven help us!
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:24pmAccording to their website the coop is member owned and run and you must be a member to shop at it. It sounds like a club. If they don’t want to buy products made in Israel, they don’t have to. It sounds like a bunch of liberals anyway so who cares? Considering the small impact in lose of business any boycott would cause, Israel shouldn’t want to even sell to these people.
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:29pmMayor Bloomie is rich enough. He can empty their shelves then use the food at the homeless shelters….OH WAIT—Bloomie outlawed that.
New York has become a liberal cesspool.
OMG 2012
Report Post »neiman1
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:09pmAntisemitism disguised as political speech. It’s revolting.
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:16pmAntisemitism always starts off as political speech.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:53pmDEEBERJ True…..ask any Paulbot about the Jews
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:01pmJust don’t give them any salt…
Report Post »chazmo
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:01pm…”because it would help us liberate ourselves from the last segregation and occupation system in the world. ”
How many Christian Churches are their left in Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, again? Which country has jailed a converted Muslim to Christianity, again? Which countries are slaughtering Christians?
Report Post »lamarlamar
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:31pmAMEN!!! The Jews do not EXTERMINATE other religions! To my knowledge ONLY the religion of peace does that!!! Where are the Christians, Hindus, Jews, Orthodox and on and on in the Muslim Lands!!! It is ALL about perception and those who CONTROL perception!!! “Shout a lie loud enough and long enough and people will begin to believe it!!!” Let’s see who said that famous quote again??? Not again as the original speaker but, as the reuse to control the ignorant masses!!!
Report Post »tzion
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 2:30pmAnd let’s not forget, how many Jews did Abbas say would be allowed to be citizens of the state he wishes to form?
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:00pm.
Report Post »Wait a minute I thought NYC was full of Good Jews. This can’t be must have been a typo……
COFemale
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:00pmCan we just ban stupid people. I mean, of what use are they to society? Where is the ethnic cleansing when you really need it applied?
What? (Sarcasm) So don’t go off the deep end people with my statement.
Report Post »moreteaplease
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 12:59pm“However, others say the idea stinks of anti-Semitism and goes against the 39-year-old Union Street co-op’s mission statement of commitment to ‘diversity and equality.’
Report Post »————————————————————————————————-
And it depends on how the Left is defining these terms this week.
Delores at CH WV
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 12:58pmWell, NYC took the food away from the street poor; now, they are taking the Jewish food off their market. If you can walk in a store that is Racist, then, do. These racist, sick haters should choke on their food that they are denying the people of NY.
Report Post »maryanne3935
Posted on March 27, 2012 at 3:17pmso right good call. This coming from the esteemed Mayor Blumberg to not feed homeless unless it was healthy. This is the same mayor who let occupy wall streeters poop and pee on police cars, do dope and rape. So now we get to boycott food from Israel our only ally in the middle east. T his probably doesn’t go along with blumberg because he has so much holdings in the way of oil in Saudi Arabia, can’t offend our dear saudis can we? But a country to has a democracy in real form, who allows churches and mosques and doesn’t harm women but upholds women, well that really is an apatheid state. These people make me want to vomit, ugh
Report Post »momrules
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 12:53pmThey can do was they will, it has all been foretold.
I stand by and with Israel. God bless Isreal……….and He will.
Report Post »zoro51
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 12:53pmgod told abraham i will BLESS those who BLESS U.. and CURSE THOSE WHO CURSE YOU.. cant wait for this co-op to go bankrupt.. thou fool….
Report Post »chazmo
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:03pmnot trying to be the grammar Nannie but, it’s God not god. God is Our Heavenly Father. god is Satan.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:18pmPerhaps Abraham was hammered. I mean if it were that important, you think God might have told someone else. I don’t know, I wasn’t there. What I do know, is there is an element of truth to some of the co-opt’s claims. (boycott seems harsh) Particularly in therms of racial discrimination. I looked at Israel’s website on immigration a couple of months ago, and racist was the only way to describe it. Hard to imagine that if there’s elements of racism in immigration law, that there wouldn’t be elsewhere. Maybe satan has his grips on the MEN making those particular laws? Of course, there are also Isreali dissenters to some of the abuses by their government (just like us). Even anti-war potestors have started demonstrating. They don’t seem to get any press. Too bad really, seeing those stories might curb the “growing anti-Semetism” that‘s on the Blaze’s agenda. I guess I just really don’t know the truth. Best sit on the fence, and hope those involved can’t sort it out. I’ll stick with treating the people I meet as individuals and judge them based on that.
And for those who think I’m picking I side… I just didn’t mention all the bat crap crazy things their enemies are doing, because we hear about THAT all the time.
Report Post »advent2
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 2:11pmHey Zorro- reconcile Jesus’ words to the Pharisees in John 8 and Matthew 23. You too Mom. These were the same Jews who crucified the LORD, stoned Stephen, and beat Peter and had him thrown in prison. Jesus‘ 7 woes in Matt 23 and His proclamation of their father being the devil in John 8 sounds like he wasn’t “blessing” them does it? Oh yeah- they wanted to stone Him then and there for these pronouncements but were unable. They did eventually got the job done but as in Matt 23 ” Behold, your house in left unto you desolate”.
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 12:52pmDo you think if the war wasn’t won in 1967 by Israel that they would get to stay? I wish everyone could live in peace. Each individual has a mind of their own and responsible for turning either to good or evil. If you take the wrong path of evil you will be doomed. Peace and Love to you all. God Bless
Report Post »shimauma
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 12:52pmSo if they can decide to boycott Israeli products than we consumers in the US can decide to boycott their whole company, right? Fair’s fair after all.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 12:51pmSo there are NO New York Jews in this co-op . or are they AGAIN selling out Israel? More likely the latter.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:00pm“food co-ops” are birkenstock-hippie groceries. The are overwhelmingly communist and socialist by design and by membership…
allegedly.
Just go into one and look at all the activist posters and leaflets.
Report Post »They are leftist cesspools of propaganda. PERIOD.
CatB
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:19pmSadly so are many Jews … liberals ..
Report Post »NoContest
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 12:51pmThey want to boycott Israeli products,but have no peoblem using a synagogue?
Funny.
Report Post »randy
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 12:50pmFOOD CO-OPS = Bunch of old HIPPIES
Report Post »bhelmet
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 12:49pmNothing quite like the left getting History wrong and warping it to their agenda. One day, a great price will be paid for these lies. Unfortunately, first it will be by all exposed to the lies – the great joy will be when those telling and spreading the lies get their “just” rewards.
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 12:47pmhow disgusting. why is it that everyone feels the need to be their over educated worthless opinions into basic things like a food co-op. “Jessica Rosenberg, a member of the co-op, says she supports BDS until Israel “ends the occupation” and provides “right of return” for Palestinians.” jessica hello your last name is rosenberg which is most likely a german/jewish name you are turning against your own people? I am a Jew I don’t get the self loathing jews what is this it makes no sense to me why why why!!!
Report Post »edcoil
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:04pmI have always been told Schindler’s List the movie, is the most accurate movie of the Germans treatment of the Jews . When I ask that the movie shows no Jew helping any Jew’s – it is all non-Jews helping the Jews you get this blank stare. Maybe that is why Rosenberg hates her people.
Report Post »Cavallo
Posted on March 26, 2012 at 1:40pmBecause it is hip, chic, popular to express hatred of Jews. Many Jews want to be a member of the hip club so they join the obfuscated bigotry. Marxist ideology also has a very deep seeded hatred of Hebrews; even through Karl Marx was of Jewish ancestry. His writings contain quite a number of anti-Jewish rants. Since outright hatred of Jews is still (so far) looked down on (except at OWS gatherings) they attempt to hide their bigotry in a (poorly) disguised antagonism of the freest nation in the Middle East. It’s the “I don’t hate Jews I just hate Israel” fallacy.
Report Post »