Extremist Al Awda Perpetuates Intel BDS Hoax

The BDS' holes will do nearly anything to claim victory.  Routine restructuring of a corporate portfolio, the usual ups and downs of the financial market- its all used to tout the "success" of the BDS movement- the momentum, as they like to say is "unstoppable".   As often as not, in the absence of any real success the BDS'ers  will invent something out of thin air.  It's happened before. It will happen again, because at its core, the BDS movement is morally bankrupt and is built on a fragile foundation of lies.

This is one of the more elaborate BDS schemes I can remember.

A fake press release was recently sent out announcing that Intel is suspending investments in Israel, pending an investigation  of war crimes, and a  fake website was set up that mimics Intel's real PR site. The site has since been removed.

Intel found out about the hoax and issued a terse statement:

An unknown individual has sent what purports to be a news release to some members of the media concerning Intel’s operations in Israel. This is a hoax. The purported news release does not come from Intel and is false.

Extremist truth optional group Al Awda  helped perpetuate the fraud, with an email blast to their group yesterday. They've had no issue disseminating misinformation in the past.

 The text of the fake press release follows:

 Intel To Suspend Investments in Israel Due to Assault on Gaza

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS:- Intel is suspending previous plans to invest an additional $6 billion in Intel's Kiryat Gat facility in Israel until further notice.

- Intel will conduct a reevaluation of its business relationship with Israel to ensure compliance with Intel's stated Code of Conduct guidelines and Corporate Responsibility goals.

---

SANTA CLARA, Calif., August 7, 2014 – Intel CEO Brian Krzanich today announced the suspension of a previous decision to invest an additional $6 billion in Intel's Kiryat Gat facility in Israel and that a reevaluation of its business relationship with Israel will be conducted. The review will help to ensure compliance to Intel's stated Code of Conduct guidelines and Corporate Responsibility goals.

"Intel takes seriously our commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen," said Intel CEO Brian Krzanich. "We view corporate citizenship as the relationship forged between Intel, the communities in which we operate and society in general. At Intel, corporate citizenship is firmly anchored in our corporate values."

Intel's Code of Conduct serves as a compass that guides the actions of employees, directors, and business partners, ensuring consistent and uncompromising integrity as we build trusted relationships around the world. Intel is also a United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) LEAD member. The first two UNGC Principles are regarding human rights.

Intel releases an annual Corporate Responsibility Report. "For us,corporate responsibility means achieving business success in ways that demonstrate respect for people and the planet and uphold the values and high standards of ethics expressed in our Human Rights Principles and our environmental health and safety policies," adds Krzanich. "In all our activities, we need to uphold Intel's long-standing, global reputation as a role model for socially responsible behavior."

Intel Israel is the country's largest private-sector employer. Mooly Eden is Intel Israel president and is also in support of the decision. He is confident that Intel Israel is "here to stay", despite the investment
suspension. Eden has been speaking to Israeli government officials over the past weeks regarding its military policy and the negative attention it brings to the country and those businesses that operate within. "Intel has consistently been recognized as one of the world's leading corporate citizens and most ethical companies," states Eden. "Our commitment to doing the right thing runs deep in our corporate culture. We don't view corporate responsibility as a fad or marketing scheme."

The Kiryat Gat facility is only 15 miles from the northern Gaza Strip. Reports of the destruction and loss of life resulting from Israel's recentassault on Gaza, in addition to the blockade that Israel has imposed on the people of Gaza for the past several years is not something thatbusiness leaders can continue to ignore.

Further details on Intel Israel's business evaluations will be released in the coming weeks.

PRESS CONTACT
Nick Veritas
Intel Corporate, Assistant Director
Communications & Public Affairs
+1 408 805 0679
nick.veritas@newsroom-intel.com

UPDATE

Al Awda has issued a retraction

'Zahi Damuni' zahi@al-awda.org wrote:


Apologies to all. But this story appears to have been a hoax.