BDS is on a roll, we hear. Can't stop it. Such momentum.
But, er. no. It's not.
In BDS news this week:
* Web giant Amazon.com will open an office in Tel Aviv to support Amazon Web Services (AWS), its cloud computing offering. The office is expected to begin operating at the start of 2014. It will
support companies from start-ups to large organizations as they move to
cloud computing services.
Why Israel? Werner Hans Peter Vogel, the chief technology officer and Vice
President of Amazon.com in charge of driving technology innovation
within the company declared " If you start a business today you no longer buy IT (information technology). You spend your money on getting better engineers and product builders. "
* Facebook has acquired Onavo, an Israel-based startup for well over 100 million. Facebook will gain both talent and technology in the deal. All of Onavo employees will join FB. Onavo’s Tel Aviv headquarters will become into Facebook’s first Israel office.
* Warren Buffet purchased a third Israeli company Ray-Q Interconnect. Ray-Q, which helped develop Israel’s Iron Dome and Arrow military
systems, will keep its operations in Israel Buffet total investment in Israel is nearly $7 billion.
Oh, yes. And a handful of students at George Mason University are desperately trying to get anyone to sign their petition, banning made in America Sabra hummus from their school.
Showing posts with label Boycotts Divestment and Sanctions failure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boycotts Divestment and Sanctions failure. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Friday, July 5, 2013
BDS fail: Alicia Keys and Idan Raichel together in Tel Aviv
It began shortly after pop super star Alicia Keys decided to play a July 4 gig in Tel Aviv. The BDS'ers spared no effort in their attempt to pressure the 14 time Grammy award winning singer to cancel the performance. In addition to the usual attempts to hijack her twitter feed and Facebook page, the BDS'ers solicited a letter from Alice Walker, who urged Alicia not to put her soul in danger by playing in Israel. Even after Alicia Keys arrived in Israel, the onslaught continued, with anti-Israel activist and cultural boycott advocate Tali Shapiro urging people to continue hounding Ms. Keys.
.
On July 4th, Alicia Keys and her special guest Idan Raichel joined together to use their music to "unify audiences in peace and love" at Alicia Keys' long-awaited, sold out concert in Israel.
After Alicia Keys addressed the sold out crowd in Hebrew, "Ma Kore Tel Aviv", (What's up, Tel Aviv?") Shapiro's bitterness slipped out, calling the ancient language of the Jewish people a "colonial language"
It was a massive BDS fail for those seeking to culturally isolate Israel.
From the Jerusalem Post:
Alicia Keys set the Tel Aviv on fire Thursday night with her powerful, soulful voice and a message of peace and love, BDS movement be damned....
Keys stood out most on her own, whether it was belting out "Girl on Fire," the song that gave her tour its name, or crooning her love song to her home town, "Empire State of Mind."
Keys ended the song with her smash-hit New York anthem, taking the state in a slinky, sparkling red gown and raising the whole audience.
"This song is about hopes and dreams," she said. "We all have the same hopes and dreams. It doesn't matter where you come from. Don't let anyone hold us back or push us down."Press release from the Creative Community for Peace: Alicia Keys plays for Peace in Israel
(Los Angeles -- July 4, 2013) -- The Creative Community for Peace (“CCFP”), an organization of leading executives from within the entertainment industry, congratulates Alicia Keys on the success of her first concert in Israel and the fulfillment of her goal to “unify her audiences in peace and love”. We are grateful that Alicia saw beyond the baseless accusations of apartheid and the rhetoric of the cultural Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (“BDS”) movement and did not allow their noise to drown out the melodies of freedom and the voices of change.
For several years, the cultural BDS movement has been pressuring artists from all over the world to cancel their performances in Israel with tactics that frequently cross the line and border on harassment. These boycott activists hijack the social media platforms of artists and inundate them and their representatives with petitions, phone calls, letters and thousands of Facebook posts, Tweets, and emails, often threatening the artist's reputation and professional career. At times they even violate copyright laws and will use an artist's work for their own self-gain, forcing the artist to take legal action to protect his or her work, as Alicia Keys had to do with an unauthorized video utilizing her song, “Girl on Fire.” But above all, the BDS movement works against reconciliation, distorts the dialogue of those who seek peace, and provokes discord among the fans of these iconic artists.
The Creative Community for Peace works within the entertainment industry to promote a positive environment for cultural exchange and seeks to provide balance to the misinformation that artists may see about Israel in social media. It believes that singling out Israel for a cultural boycott is hypocritical when human rights abuses go unchecked in various other countries in the Middle East. CCFP applauds Alicia Keys and the hundreds of other artists who, despite the concerted efforts of these misinformed groups, perform and visit Israel, cherishing the freedom of expression that exists there and coming away with an incredible experience.
Alicia Keys received an open letter from novelist and BDS supporter, Alice Walker, who said that by performing in Israel, Alicia would be putting herself in “soul danger”. In response to Alice Walker’s open letter, 17 members of CCFP’s advisory board, comprised of top level executives in the entertainment industry, signed their own open letter , refuting Walker’s false allegations of apartheid and congratulating Alicia Keys for looking beyond the rhetoric. Like Alicia, CCFP believes music is a universal language that should be shared and can help build bridges and promote understanding.
In addition to the open letter, the CCFP “Anti-Boycott Petition” signed by over 18,000 people from every corner of the world, was sent to Alicia to show her that she has thousands of fans who support and believe in her message of peace and love.
Thank you Alicia Keys for sharing the gift of your music with the people of the state of Israel- Arab, Muslim, Christian and Jew alike. Your voice and your message have touched the hearts of thousands of people in a region wholeheartedly hoping for peace. We are sure that they will hope to see you again soon!
For several years, the cultural BDS movement has been pressuring artists from all over the world to cancel their performances in Israel with tactics that frequently cross the line and border on harassment. These boycott activists hijack the social media platforms of artists and inundate them and their representatives with petitions, phone calls, letters and thousands of Facebook posts, Tweets, and emails, often threatening the artist's reputation and professional career. At times they even violate copyright laws and will use an artist's work for their own self-gain, forcing the artist to take legal action to protect his or her work, as Alicia Keys had to do with an unauthorized video utilizing her song, “Girl on Fire.” But above all, the BDS movement works against reconciliation, distorts the dialogue of those who seek peace, and provokes discord among the fans of these iconic artists.
The Creative Community for Peace works within the entertainment industry to promote a positive environment for cultural exchange and seeks to provide balance to the misinformation that artists may see about Israel in social media. It believes that singling out Israel for a cultural boycott is hypocritical when human rights abuses go unchecked in various other countries in the Middle East. CCFP applauds Alicia Keys and the hundreds of other artists who, despite the concerted efforts of these misinformed groups, perform and visit Israel, cherishing the freedom of expression that exists there and coming away with an incredible experience.
Alicia Keys received an open letter from novelist and BDS supporter, Alice Walker, who said that by performing in Israel, Alicia would be putting herself in “soul danger”. In response to Alice Walker’s open letter, 17 members of CCFP’s advisory board, comprised of top level executives in the entertainment industry, signed their own open letter , refuting Walker’s false allegations of apartheid and congratulating Alicia Keys for looking beyond the rhetoric. Like Alicia, CCFP believes music is a universal language that should be shared and can help build bridges and promote understanding.
In addition to the open letter, the CCFP “Anti-Boycott Petition” signed by over 18,000 people from every corner of the world, was sent to Alicia to show her that she has thousands of fans who support and believe in her message of peace and love.
Thank you Alicia Keys for sharing the gift of your music with the people of the state of Israel- Arab, Muslim, Christian and Jew alike. Your voice and your message have touched the hearts of thousands of people in a region wholeheartedly hoping for peace. We are sure that they will hope to see you again soon!
Thank you, Alicia Keys for standing strong against the BDS bullies. Thank you for standing up for truth. Thank for for respecting standing up for cultural freedom, and for resisting the efforts of those who seek to destroy the ancient homeland of the Jewish people. And thank you for honoring your fans and your music with an amazing performance.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Sabra Hummus: An Epic BDS Fail
Our friend Jon at Divest this always helps us keep things in perspective. That's why we like him. Remember a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away? Sabra hummus- a made in New York chick pea spread was the main focus of the BDS'ers ire. Using the entire carpetbag of BDS tactics- threats, intimidation, and meaningless referendums, along with the cowards way out- destruction of private property - what have they accomplished? In over 4 years of hating on hummus, where has it gotten them?
 |
| Sabra Hummus vandalized by BDS holes in Berkeley (2008) |
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| Vandalized display in school cafeteria |
Jon points out exactly what impact the BDS'ers have made on the bottom line of Sabra hummus.
From Fast Company:
... if Ronen Zohar has his way, hummus will become a staple snack next to the peanut butter and jelly in your fridge. As CEO of Sabra Dipping Company, Zohar’s presided over sales of hummus that bounced from $16 million to $800 million in just six years. Founded in 1986 to serve a local community of predominately Jewish customers in Queens, New York, Sabra eventually grew and became a joint venture of PepsiCo and the Strauss Group in 2007. The company now boasts more than half of the hummus marketshare and about 25% of the fresh dip category that includes salsa and guacamole, ahead of competitors Tribe and Athenos (owned by Kraft). Zohar believes hummus will bring Sabra a billion dollars in annual revenue in the next five years.One more time- just so you realize how irrelevant the BDS'ers have been to the Sabra brand:
Sales of Sabra hummus increased from $16 million to $800 million in just six years.
Its yet another massive, epic BDS fail.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Cirque du Soleil adds new shows in Israel
Its yet another in a dizzying array of BDS fails.
In spite of the bullying of the BDS-ers, who attempted to pressure Canadian-based Cirque du Soleil into cancelling their performances in Israel, the show is continuing as scheduled. The circus troop will present 21 shows in Israel between August 8 and August 25. 72,000 tickets have already been sold, and an extra performance has been added to the schedule. They are opening today at the Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv.
The world renowned circus began in 1984 as a group of 20 street dancers now includes over than 1,300 artists from 50 countries. This will be the first time the troop has performed in Israel
In spite of the bullying of the BDS-ers, who attempted to pressure Canadian-based Cirque du Soleil into cancelling their performances in Israel, the show is continuing as scheduled. The circus troop will present 21 shows in Israel between August 8 and August 25. 72,000 tickets have already been sold, and an extra performance has been added to the schedule. They are opening today at the Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv.
The world renowned circus began in 1984 as a group of 20 street dancers now includes over than 1,300 artists from 50 countries. This will be the first time the troop has performed in Israel
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Another BDS Fail - Tourism to Israel at Record High
Over 1.4 million visitors arrived in Israel in January-May 2012, 6% more than the same period in 2011, the Central Bureau of Statistics reported Monday.
Tourism Ministry: Incoming Tourism Record Highs for January-May 2012
From Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov: "The consistent increase in incoming tourism and the new record highs prove that the investment in the industry contributes to increased income for the economy and creates tens of thousands of new jobs. Against the background of the ongoing global economic crisis, the importance of investment in engines for growth becomes sharper and tourism is a central player in maintaining the robust Israeli economy."
Based on the Central Bureau of Statistics data released today, 1.4 million
visitors arrived in the months January – May 2012, 6% more than the same
period in 2011 and 4% more than 2010, which was a record year. Of these, 1.2
million were tourists, 3% more than the same period last year.
Increased tourism to Israel: another in a series of colossal BDS failures.
Tourism Ministry: Incoming Tourism Record Highs for January-May 2012
From Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov: "The consistent increase in incoming tourism and the new record highs prove that the investment in the industry contributes to increased income for the economy and creates tens of thousands of new jobs. Against the background of the ongoing global economic crisis, the importance of investment in engines for growth becomes sharper and tourism is a central player in maintaining the robust Israeli economy."
Based on the Central Bureau of Statistics data released today, 1.4 million
visitors arrived in the months January – May 2012, 6% more than the same
period in 2011 and 4% more than 2010, which was a record year. Of these, 1.2
million were tourists, 3% more than the same period last year.
Increased tourism to Israel: another in a series of colossal BDS failures.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Israel: Intel Inside. Kiss My BDS
Intel, the world's largest maker of computer chips has been operating in Israel for four decades, with four research and development centers and 2 manufacturing plants located in the tiny nation.
(Can you say "BDS fail"? Say it. I know you can)
With 8,000 employees in Israel, Intel is the largest private sector employer in Israel, accounting for 10% of all the jobs in Israel’s total electronics and software industry. Intel exports reaced exports reached $2.2 billion in 2011, making it the country’s biggest single exporter of high technology.
from the Media line:
"In 2011 Intel’s Israel operations marked a new milestone by both developing and producing a product entirely inside the country.
Today Intel Israel is at the core of the global company, with a central role in developing new products like Sandy Bridge and the Ivy Bridge. We ourselves are in sync for the first time, with a product both designed and produced in Israel,” Maxine Fassberg, an Intel vice president and general manager for Israel, told The Media Line on the sidelines of a news conference on Sunday to discuss the company’s 2011.
Sandy Bridge, the code name for the Intel Second-General Core chip, was mainly developed in Israel and is now produced there. The chip, whose original name “Gesher” (“bridge” in Hebrew) was dropped to avoid associating it with a defunct Israeli political party, uses less power and offers integrated graphics. It will be superseded in the next month or so by Ivy Bridge, the development of which Israel Intel also played a central role,
When it was launched last year Sandy Bridge became the global company’s fastest-selling product ever, with sales of more than 100 million processors. All told, products developed in Israel accounted for 40% of worldwide sales for Intel last year, said Muli Eden, who arrived in Israel last week to take up the post of Intel Israel president alongside Fassberg"
Products developed in Israel accounted for 40% of worldwide sales for Intel last year. So, what were you saying about that boycott, again?
(Can you say "BDS fail"? Say it. I know you can)
With 8,000 employees in Israel, Intel is the largest private sector employer in Israel, accounting for 10% of all the jobs in Israel’s total electronics and software industry. Intel exports reaced exports reached $2.2 billion in 2011, making it the country’s biggest single exporter of high technology.
from the Media line:
"In 2011 Intel’s Israel operations marked a new milestone by both developing and producing a product entirely inside the country.
Today Intel Israel is at the core of the global company, with a central role in developing new products like Sandy Bridge and the Ivy Bridge. We ourselves are in sync for the first time, with a product both designed and produced in Israel,” Maxine Fassberg, an Intel vice president and general manager for Israel, told The Media Line on the sidelines of a news conference on Sunday to discuss the company’s 2011.
Sandy Bridge, the code name for the Intel Second-General Core chip, was mainly developed in Israel and is now produced there. The chip, whose original name “Gesher” (“bridge” in Hebrew) was dropped to avoid associating it with a defunct Israeli political party, uses less power and offers integrated graphics. It will be superseded in the next month or so by Ivy Bridge, the development of which Israel Intel also played a central role,
When it was launched last year Sandy Bridge became the global company’s fastest-selling product ever, with sales of more than 100 million processors. All told, products developed in Israel accounted for 40% of worldwide sales for Intel last year, said Muli Eden, who arrived in Israel last week to take up the post of Intel Israel president alongside Fassberg"
Products developed in Israel accounted for 40% of worldwide sales for Intel last year. So, what were you saying about that boycott, again?
Thursday, March 8, 2012
UK-Israel bilateral trade soared 34 percent in 2011. BDS Fail.
Ali Abunimah must be spinning cartwheels with glee.
From the Jpost
UK-Israel bilateral trade soared 34 percent to £3.75 billion ($6b.) last year – proving there is no economic boycott of Israel, British Ambassador to Israel, Matthew Gould, said Wednesday.
Israeli exports to the UK stood at £2.18 billion ($3.5b.) and British exports to Israel reached £1.57 billion ($2.5b.) in 2011. This made Israel the UK’s largest trade partner in the Middle East and its 29th largest export market overall, according to UK Trade & Investment.
“These figures are big enough to be important to both countries,” Gould told economic reporters at his Ramat Gan residence. “They also implicitly give a very good answer to anyone who talks about economic boycott, and that answer is: ‘What economic boycott?’”
BDS mega epic fail.
From the Jpost
UK-Israel bilateral trade soared 34 percent to £3.75 billion ($6b.) last year – proving there is no economic boycott of Israel, British Ambassador to Israel, Matthew Gould, said Wednesday.
Israeli exports to the UK stood at £2.18 billion ($3.5b.) and British exports to Israel reached £1.57 billion ($2.5b.) in 2011. This made Israel the UK’s largest trade partner in the Middle East and its 29th largest export market overall, according to UK Trade & Investment.
“These figures are big enough to be important to both countries,” Gould told economic reporters at his Ramat Gan residence. “They also implicitly give a very good answer to anyone who talks about economic boycott, and that answer is: ‘What economic boycott?’”
BDS mega epic fail.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Ali Abunimah and the BDS'ers " When we lose, we win"
US President Barack Obama at AIAPC 2012: “When there are efforts to boycott or divest from Israel, we will stand against them.”
Its a rather unequivocal statement from the highest ranking elected official in America. You'd think the BDS'ers would be wringing their hands despondently. But, no, in the reality challenged world of the BDS'er, its seen as a victory.
Yes, really.
(No, its not a Purim joke)
Awww. Is Ali Abunimah of the Electronic Intidfada having one of the "When we lose we win" moments?
He tweets "Great news that Obama came out against BDS".
Okay, Ali. Here's some more great news for you and your pals to celebrate courtesy of the new website BDS Global Digest :
*Canterbury City Council , Leeds City Council and the North London Waste Authority has rejected BDS'ers campaign to exclude Veolia from public contracts. Larissa Laing, head of Canterbury’s neighbourhood services said:
“Canterbury must choose its waste collection contractor under procedures laid down by Europe and adopted by this country under the Public Contract Regulations 2006. We do not think that activities in the Middle East relate to what we are considering in this contract.”
*UC San Diego Associated Students (AS) council voted last month(29 Feb) not to adopt a divestment resolution proposed by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).
*A Canadian store that sold Israeli-made toiletries had been the target of regular anti-Israeli protests. The local community and others, have responded with a “Buycott” Owner Shani Bar-Oz reports: “People won’t stop calling and ordering products on the phone and online"
There you have it, Ali. BDS defeats on the municipal level, the university level and the retail level. Great news, isn't it? And I'll sleep better tonight knowing its made you as happy as it does me.
Its a rather unequivocal statement from the highest ranking elected official in America. You'd think the BDS'ers would be wringing their hands despondently. But, no, in the reality challenged world of the BDS'er, its seen as a victory.
Yes, really.
(No, its not a Purim joke)
Awww. Is Ali Abunimah of the Electronic Intidfada having one of the "When we lose we win" moments?
He tweets "Great news that Obama came out against BDS".
Okay, Ali. Here's some more great news for you and your pals to celebrate courtesy of the new website BDS Global Digest :
*Canterbury City Council , Leeds City Council and the North London Waste Authority has rejected BDS'ers campaign to exclude Veolia from public contracts. Larissa Laing, head of Canterbury’s neighbourhood services said:
“Canterbury must choose its waste collection contractor under procedures laid down by Europe and adopted by this country under the Public Contract Regulations 2006. We do not think that activities in the Middle East relate to what we are considering in this contract.”
*UC San Diego Associated Students (AS) council voted last month(29 Feb) not to adopt a divestment resolution proposed by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).
*A Canadian store that sold Israeli-made toiletries had been the target of regular anti-Israeli protests. The local community and others, have responded with a “Buycott” Owner Shani Bar-Oz reports: “People won’t stop calling and ordering products on the phone and online"
There you have it, Ali. BDS defeats on the municipal level, the university level and the retail level. Great news, isn't it? And I'll sleep better tonight knowing its made you as happy as it does me.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Israel Divestment Campaign: Another Epic fail
On December 12th, members of the Israel Divestment Campaign submitted a divestment petition to the California Public Employees Retirement System. Of the 1.6 million members of CalPers, only 837 signed the petition.
The numbers were equally bleak for CalStrs. Only 545 out of the 852,316 Californians with their pension funds invested in CalStrs signed the petion. Its yet another epic fail for the California Divestment Campaign, which earlier this year had failed to get the even minimum number of signitures to have their divestment initiative placed on the California ballot.
Israel Divestment Campaign- Kiss my BDS.
The numbers were equally bleak for CalStrs. Only 545 out of the 852,316 Californians with their pension funds invested in CalStrs signed the petion. Its yet another epic fail for the California Divestment Campaign, which earlier this year had failed to get the even minimum number of signitures to have their divestment initiative placed on the California ballot.
Israel Divestment Campaign- Kiss my BDS.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Its been a Day of BDS Failures
Its a heavy drinking day in Camp BDS. The BDS'ers are squirming restlessly. They are patting each other on the back and whispering to each other "Its ok. Even when we lose, we still win", while taking swigs of watermelon vodka and sobbing uncontrollably.
The day began with the news that Apple, yes, that super big, trendy company named after a fruit is opening a new research and development office in Israel. Thats in addition to its rumored purchase of Israel-based flash storage provider Anobit for nearly $500 million. Its almost as if Apple never even heard of the Palestinian civil society, and their call to Bully, Demonize and Scapegoat Israel. The new development center will reportedly be headed by Aharon Aharon, a veteran in Israel's technology industry.
The Israel facility will be Apple's first strategic development center located outside of the company's Cupertino California headquarters.
From Arutz Sheva:
"... Apple will finally be joining other global tech leaders who have, for years, had large development centers in Israel. Microsoft has nearly 1,000 people working on R&D in Israel – and its teams here have come up with some important innovations, such as the networking technology at the center of every version of Windows for the past decade. Google has not one, but two development centers in Israel – the only country in the world outside the U.S. so honored. Much of Intel's laptop technology was developed at its two R&D centers in Israel. And Motorola – which first set up shop in Israel in 1964 – Cisco, IBM, Oracle, and many others have been here for decades."
And if it were just that, we could say "Kiss my BDS" and call it a day. But wait. There's more.
The Cal State University system has joined the Ivy League and New York State University in rescinding a ban on its students studying in Israeli universities after 9 years. The CSU system has 23 campuses and over 420,000 students.
And for you, David Klein, CSU Northridge: Nice try. Im sure Edie is patting you on the back and whispering in your ear "Even when we lose , we win".
Oh, and one more thing, Prof. Klein- "Kiss my BDS"
The day began with the news that Apple, yes, that super big, trendy company named after a fruit is opening a new research and development office in Israel. Thats in addition to its rumored purchase of Israel-based flash storage provider Anobit for nearly $500 million. Its almost as if Apple never even heard of the Palestinian civil society, and their call to Bully, Demonize and Scapegoat Israel. The new development center will reportedly be headed by Aharon Aharon, a veteran in Israel's technology industry.
The Israel facility will be Apple's first strategic development center located outside of the company's Cupertino California headquarters.
From Arutz Sheva:
"... Apple will finally be joining other global tech leaders who have, for years, had large development centers in Israel. Microsoft has nearly 1,000 people working on R&D in Israel – and its teams here have come up with some important innovations, such as the networking technology at the center of every version of Windows for the past decade. Google has not one, but two development centers in Israel – the only country in the world outside the U.S. so honored. Much of Intel's laptop technology was developed at its two R&D centers in Israel. And Motorola – which first set up shop in Israel in 1964 – Cisco, IBM, Oracle, and many others have been here for decades."
And if it were just that, we could say "Kiss my BDS" and call it a day. But wait. There's more.
The Cal State University system has joined the Ivy League and New York State University in rescinding a ban on its students studying in Israeli universities after 9 years. The CSU system has 23 campuses and over 420,000 students.
And for you, David Klein, CSU Northridge: Nice try. Im sure Edie is patting you on the back and whispering in your ear "Even when we lose , we win".
Oh, and one more thing, Prof. Klein- "Kiss my BDS"
Monday, December 12, 2011
Interested in learning about BDS- Bullying, Demonization and Scapegoating Israel? Learn from the experts at JVP
Jewish Voice for Peace is growing increasing resentful of Jewish institutions that create guidelines, like the ones adopted by Hillel that recognize the right to of the Jewish people to self determination. Hillel views Israel as a core element of Jewish life and a gateway to Jewish identification for students. Hillel promotes a continuum of experiences to engage students with Israel, educate their campus communities about Israel, and advocate for Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state in peace and security. This is too much for JVP, the "proud to be ashamed to be Jewish " folks, who insist not only that anti-Israel rhetoric be part of Jewish communal life, but that it be funded by communal sources as well.
JVP has begun a new campus initiative Go & Learn: BDS Education in Jewish communities. This initiative is being promoted by the youth-led wing of Jewish Voice for peace (Youth, apparently, by JVP standards is anyone under 40) to "create a space for education about the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions. Go & Learn BDS Education events are a way for Jews to continue to (or begin to) develop their own opinion on BDS, in an informed, multifaceted way."
Will JVP mention that Palestinian society has largely rejected the BDS tactics?
From Elder of Ziyon:
The number of Palestinian Arabs working in Jewish settlements has increased by 20% since the PA announced they would ban such activity. According to the head of the Federation of Trade Unions of Palestine, Shaher Saad, some 31,000 Palestinian Arab workers are now employed in Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. This is a significant increase compared to the number of such workers in April, 2010 - estimated at 25,000 - when Mahmoud Abbas signed a law banning Palestinian Arabs from working in settlements.
From Haaretz Private Palestinian investors now invest nearly twice as much in Israel as they do at , with homeprivate Palestinian investment in the West Bank at $1.5 billion in 2011, compared to at least $2.5 billion in Israel.
Will JVP mention that in our area, the best place to get Israeli products are the small Arab grocery stores?
From Divest this:
A more intriguing take on these numbers has to do with the notion of civil society. After all, the BDS movement’s primary claim to legitimacy is that it represents the will of the Palestinian people, with the 2005 “Palestinian Civil Society Calls for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Against Israel” declaration held up as the reason why alleged “human rights activists” abroad focus on Israel to the exclusion of nearly every other human rights issue on the planet.
When BDS groups in the US and Europe approach a university, a church or even a food co-op insisting that everyone get on board the boycotter’s Israel=Apartheid bandwagon, they rarely if ever do so in their own name. Rather, they claim (again and again) that they are humbly following the will of the Palestinian people who have declared their commitment to BDS via documents like the aforementioned Civil Society declaration, and insisting that others do the same.
But as has already been noted, this alleged call by Civil Society was really a call by a group of civil organizations, with violent political groups such as Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine taking the lead and less influential groups like the Palestinian Dentists Association following behind. So does the 2005 BDS declaration truly represent the will of the Palestinian people or is it simply the will of a bunch of militant and/or coerced leaders of a hundred-odd organizations? Are we required to take Omar Barghouti’s word for it when he claims to speak for the Palestinian masses, or do we have other data to work form?
Well we do, in fact, have other data consider. For example, there are the Arab citizens of Israel terrified that the land they live on might be traded in a peace deal, requiring them to live under the benevolent dictatorship of the Palestinian Authority (or the not-so benevolent dictatorship of Hamas). We’ve got denizens of the Palestinian Authority doing whatever they can to get into Israel for healthcare, for jobs, even for citizenship (despite being told that the “Zionist entity” exists for the sole purpose of murdering them and swiping their kidneys).
And now we’ve got Palestinian workers and investors putting their money where the mouth isn’t and doubling down on Israeli investments and Israeli employers. And, as the BDS “movement” itself never tires of telling us, Investment = Political Support (which is why they advocate tirelessly, if unsuccessfully for Divestment which they claim equals an end to such political support).
So by the very math used by the BDSers themselves, Palestinian support for the Jewish state is on the increase. Keep this in mind the next time Omar Barghouti or Jewish Voice for Peace or this or that BDS organization shows up at your door insisting you do what they say because they and they alone speak for the Palestinian people.
No, JVP wont ever let facts get in the way of their increasingly shrill rhetoric. Look for "Go & learn" on a campus near you. Can't find it? Ask the students of SJP or the MSA. They'll be able to direct you
UPDATE:
The first offer of "engagement" is in, and its....still...awaiting moderation.....
From Divest this:
It looks like the youth wing of JVP (named Young, Jewish and Proud) has decided to engage with critics (and supporters) of BDS in a new program they entitle Go and Learn. Now this program is scheduled to begin in March, but given the clear importance JVP/YJP put on this issue, I have invited them to begin the debate immediately on their new Web site and just posted the following invitation in this comments section:
Why Wait?
I’m thrilled to learn that you are interested in an open discussion and education project surrounding the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) project.
As some of you may know, I represent one of those people “actively opposed to [BDS]” your invitation above is asking to engage with you. As the creator of the web site www.divestthis.com, I have been eager to discuss and debate with people like yourselves who are supportive of BDS. Until now, however, there have been very few supporters of BDS ready to engage directly on this subject in a sustained and constructive manner.
I’m glad to discover that JVP is interested in remedying this situation and recommend that we begin this debate right now on the Internet (where the world has access to our exchanges), rather than wait until March to discuss what the Young, Jewish and Proud organization obviously considers to be such a pressing topic.
I will post information on your invitation and my own at Divest This (along with any follow ups), but I recommend we have this public discussion right here since, unlike the forums you claim to not have access to, your organization is in full control of this online space. And using it to provide a globally public forum for our conversation would not just provide everyone with the discussion you clearly crave, but would also demonstrate JVP’s openness (in contrast with those places you feel you have been excluded from).
I look forward to hearing back from you and let the conversation begin!
JVP has begun a new campus initiative Go & Learn: BDS Education in Jewish communities. This initiative is being promoted by the youth-led wing of Jewish Voice for peace (Youth, apparently, by JVP standards is anyone under 40) to "create a space for education about the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions. Go & Learn BDS Education events are a way for Jews to continue to (or begin to) develop their own opinion on BDS, in an informed, multifaceted way."
Will JVP mention that Palestinian society has largely rejected the BDS tactics?
From Elder of Ziyon:
The number of Palestinian Arabs working in Jewish settlements has increased by 20% since the PA announced they would ban such activity. According to the head of the Federation of Trade Unions of Palestine, Shaher Saad, some 31,000 Palestinian Arab workers are now employed in Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. This is a significant increase compared to the number of such workers in April, 2010 - estimated at 25,000 - when Mahmoud Abbas signed a law banning Palestinian Arabs from working in settlements.
From Haaretz Private Palestinian investors now invest nearly twice as much in Israel as they do at , with homeprivate Palestinian investment in the West Bank at $1.5 billion in 2011, compared to at least $2.5 billion in Israel.
Will JVP mention that in our area, the best place to get Israeli products are the small Arab grocery stores?
From Divest this:
A more intriguing take on these numbers has to do with the notion of civil society. After all, the BDS movement’s primary claim to legitimacy is that it represents the will of the Palestinian people, with the 2005 “Palestinian Civil Society Calls for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Against Israel” declaration held up as the reason why alleged “human rights activists” abroad focus on Israel to the exclusion of nearly every other human rights issue on the planet.
When BDS groups in the US and Europe approach a university, a church or even a food co-op insisting that everyone get on board the boycotter’s Israel=Apartheid bandwagon, they rarely if ever do so in their own name. Rather, they claim (again and again) that they are humbly following the will of the Palestinian people who have declared their commitment to BDS via documents like the aforementioned Civil Society declaration, and insisting that others do the same.
But as has already been noted, this alleged call by Civil Society was really a call by a group of civil organizations, with violent political groups such as Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine taking the lead and less influential groups like the Palestinian Dentists Association following behind. So does the 2005 BDS declaration truly represent the will of the Palestinian people or is it simply the will of a bunch of militant and/or coerced leaders of a hundred-odd organizations? Are we required to take Omar Barghouti’s word for it when he claims to speak for the Palestinian masses, or do we have other data to work form?
Well we do, in fact, have other data consider. For example, there are the Arab citizens of Israel terrified that the land they live on might be traded in a peace deal, requiring them to live under the benevolent dictatorship of the Palestinian Authority (or the not-so benevolent dictatorship of Hamas). We’ve got denizens of the Palestinian Authority doing whatever they can to get into Israel for healthcare, for jobs, even for citizenship (despite being told that the “Zionist entity” exists for the sole purpose of murdering them and swiping their kidneys).
And now we’ve got Palestinian workers and investors putting their money where the mouth isn’t and doubling down on Israeli investments and Israeli employers. And, as the BDS “movement” itself never tires of telling us, Investment = Political Support (which is why they advocate tirelessly, if unsuccessfully for Divestment which they claim equals an end to such political support).
So by the very math used by the BDSers themselves, Palestinian support for the Jewish state is on the increase. Keep this in mind the next time Omar Barghouti or Jewish Voice for Peace or this or that BDS organization shows up at your door insisting you do what they say because they and they alone speak for the Palestinian people.
No, JVP wont ever let facts get in the way of their increasingly shrill rhetoric. Look for "Go & learn" on a campus near you. Can't find it? Ask the students of SJP or the MSA. They'll be able to direct you
UPDATE:
The first offer of "engagement" is in, and its....still...awaiting moderation.....
From Divest this:
It looks like the youth wing of JVP (named Young, Jewish and Proud) has decided to engage with critics (and supporters) of BDS in a new program they entitle Go and Learn. Now this program is scheduled to begin in March, but given the clear importance JVP/YJP put on this issue, I have invited them to begin the debate immediately on their new Web site and just posted the following invitation in this comments section:
Why Wait?
I’m thrilled to learn that you are interested in an open discussion and education project surrounding the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) project.
As some of you may know, I represent one of those people “actively opposed to [BDS]” your invitation above is asking to engage with you. As the creator of the web site www.divestthis.com, I have been eager to discuss and debate with people like yourselves who are supportive of BDS. Until now, however, there have been very few supporters of BDS ready to engage directly on this subject in a sustained and constructive manner.
I’m glad to discover that JVP is interested in remedying this situation and recommend that we begin this debate right now on the Internet (where the world has access to our exchanges), rather than wait until March to discuss what the Young, Jewish and Proud organization obviously considers to be such a pressing topic.
I will post information on your invitation and my own at Divest This (along with any follow ups), but I recommend we have this public discussion right here since, unlike the forums you claim to not have access to, your organization is in full control of this online space. And using it to provide a globally public forum for our conversation would not just provide everyone with the discussion you clearly crave, but would also demonstrate JVP’s openness (in contrast with those places you feel you have been excluded from).
I look forward to hearing back from you and let the conversation begin!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
To CalPERS and CalSTRS : California Rejects Divestment
Its been 8 month and the divestment petition urging CalPRES and CalSTRS to divest from companies doing business in Israel is going down for the third time. After 8 months, less than 5,000 names are on the petition- the vast majority identifying themselves only as "California taxpayers"- with no funds invested in CalPERS or CalSTRS.
Organizers are in panic mode. The original intention was to present the petition to Fund administrators on Dec.12, no doubt accompanied by massive press releases declaring "California urges divestment from Israeli Apartheid"
From Sherna Gluck via Al Awda.
Note the charming new definition of "California tax-payer"- anyone who makes a purchase in California.
"We are getting down to the wire, going to PERS Investment Committee on December 12th with the IDC petition and a pretty compelling report/argument. We are making a final push in order to reach 5,000 signatures. Another 100 +_/- will do it.l Please forward widely to all your contacts in California. .
Remember, anyone who nakes any purchase in California is a tax-payer, so that means students, too.
ANYTHING you can do to help us reach that goal would be fantastic."
Onward!
Sherna
Dear Friends,
On December 12th, members of the Israel Divestment Campaign (IDC) will be presenting a petition to CalPERS (the Public Employee Retirement System), the largest public pension fund in the US) calling on it to start the process that leads to divestment. The campaign has targeted some of the companies that facilitate/profit from Israeli violation of human rights, International law, and UN Resolutions, including: Caterpillar, Elbit and Veolia.
I hope that you will help the campaign reach its goal by signing the petition online today! www.israeldivestmentcampaign.org/petition.htm
and be sure to respond to the automated message after you sign asking you to confirm your signature.
I signed, won't you?
December 1st, 2011
Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition calls on its members and supporters to join the global effort to bring freedom and justice to Palestine.
This is the most significant BDS Project based in California and we need your help and support.
On December 12th, members of the Israel Divestment Campaign (IDC) will be presenting its petition to CalPERS (the Public Employee Retirement System), the largest public pension fund in the US, calling on it to start the process that leads to divestment. They have targeted some of the companies that facilitate/profit from Israeli violation of human rights, International law, and UN Resolutions, including: Caterpillar, Elbit and Veolia.
Help the campaign reach its goal by signing the petition online today!:
israeldivestmentcampaign.org/petition.htm
Be sure to respond to the automated message after you sign asking you to confirm your signature.
Please distribute this email widely!
Al Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition
What can you do? Drop CalPERS a line. Ask them to ignore the haters, and not to capitulate to extremist political groups while investing your retirement money.
Organizers are in panic mode. The original intention was to present the petition to Fund administrators on Dec.12, no doubt accompanied by massive press releases declaring "California urges divestment from Israeli Apartheid"
From Sherna Gluck via Al Awda.
Note the charming new definition of "California tax-payer"- anyone who makes a purchase in California.
"We are getting down to the wire, going to PERS Investment Committee on December 12th with the IDC petition and a pretty compelling report/argument. We are making a final push in order to reach 5,000 signatures. Another 100 +_/- will do it.l Please forward widely to all your contacts in California. .
Remember, anyone who nakes any purchase in California is a tax-payer, so that means students, too.
ANYTHING you can do to help us reach that goal would be fantastic."
Onward!
Sherna
Dear Friends,
On December 12th, members of the Israel Divestment Campaign (IDC) will be presenting a petition to CalPERS (the Public Employee Retirement System), the largest public pension fund in the US) calling on it to start the process that leads to divestment. The campaign has targeted some of the companies that facilitate/profit from Israeli violation of human rights, International law, and UN Resolutions, including: Caterpillar, Elbit and Veolia.
I hope that you will help the campaign reach its goal by signing the petition online today! www.israeldivestmentcampaign.org/petition.htm
and be sure to respond to the automated message after you sign asking you to confirm your signature.
I signed, won't you?
December 1st, 2011
Al-Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition calls on its members and supporters to join the global effort to bring freedom and justice to Palestine.
This is the most significant BDS Project based in California and we need your help and support.
On December 12th, members of the Israel Divestment Campaign (IDC) will be presenting its petition to CalPERS (the Public Employee Retirement System), the largest public pension fund in the US, calling on it to start the process that leads to divestment. They have targeted some of the companies that facilitate/profit from Israeli violation of human rights, International law, and UN Resolutions, including: Caterpillar, Elbit and Veolia.
Help the campaign reach its goal by signing the petition online today!:
israeldivestmentcampaign.org/petition.htm
Be sure to respond to the automated message after you sign asking you to confirm your signature.
Please distribute this email widely!
Al Awda, The Palestine Right to Return Coalition
What can you do? Drop CalPERS a line. Ask them to ignore the haters, and not to capitulate to extremist political groups while investing your retirement money.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Palestinians invest in Israel. BDS Epic fail!
From Amira Haas in Haaretz (so you know its true!)
"Private Palestinian investment in Israel, as of 2010, amounted to $2.5 billion in a conservative estimate, and according to a more optimistic estimate this investment possibly even amounts to $5.8 billion. For purposes of comparison, private Palestinian investment within the West Bank, as of 2011, was only $1.5 billion.
This is the surprising conclusion reached by Issa Smeirat who for his master’s thesis in economics has done the first research of its kind into this phenomenon, its extent and its implications - issues that until now have not been discussed in the professional literature.
Had the $2.5 billion been invested in the territories of the Palestinian Authority, he estimates, the money could have created 213,000 jobs for Palestinians."
So, what was this I've read about "Palestinian civil society" supporting Boycotts, Divestments and Sanctions?
"Private Palestinian investment in Israel, as of 2010, amounted to $2.5 billion in a conservative estimate, and according to a more optimistic estimate this investment possibly even amounts to $5.8 billion. For purposes of comparison, private Palestinian investment within the West Bank, as of 2011, was only $1.5 billion.
This is the surprising conclusion reached by Issa Smeirat who for his master’s thesis in economics has done the first research of its kind into this phenomenon, its extent and its implications - issues that until now have not been discussed in the professional literature.
Had the $2.5 billion been invested in the territories of the Palestinian Authority, he estimates, the money could have created 213,000 jobs for Palestinians."
So, what was this I've read about "Palestinian civil society" supporting Boycotts, Divestments and Sanctions?
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Railroading Truth- Alstom and the latest BDS Fraud
Engineering company Alstom has lost a bid for a Saudi Railway contract worth $10B.
The BDS' holes are declaring it a "BDS Victory". Send in the clowns. Er, the Press releases.
"The BDS National Committee (BNC) has declared a long sought-after victory as Alstom lost the bid for the second phase of the Saudi Haramain Railway project, worth 10 billion dollars, after pressure from the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, including effective campaigning from the newly launched KARAMA, a European campaign to Keep Alstom Rail And Metro Away"
What really happened? A standard bidding process for a contract was initialized, and the top bidder won the contract
From Reuters:
Saudi Arabia, Oct 26 - The Saudi Railways Organisation has awarded a 6.74 billion euro ($9.4 billion) contract for the second phase of its high-speed Haramain railway project to the public-private Saudi-Spanish Al-Shoula consortium.
The high-speed Haramain Railway will link Islam's holiest cities Mecca and Medina to the Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah, a key entry point for millions of pilgrims, and to King Abdullah Economic City, currently under construction...
The Al-Shoula consortium is made up of Spanish public rail companies including state railway operator Renfe and rail track company Adif, as well as private constructors OHL , ACS and Indra and Saudi companies Al Shoula y Al Rosan.
But, but, but, the BDS'er s whined…. We did have a role. We did . We did. Look "multiple factors" were involved. That means us. We are "mutiple factors".
"In commenting on the fierce competition between the Alstom-led consortium and its Spanish-led rival over the second phase of the lucrative Haramain Railway project, Emirati newspaper, Al-Ittihad, referred to “multiple factors” affecting the decision to award the contract, suggesting that political factors may have been taken into consideration."
Uh huh.
What the BDS'ers may not have noticed is that just today
Alstom Signs EUR325 Million Contract For Venezuela Subway Train Line.
Will their press release read "BDS defeat?" I somehow doubt it
The BDS' holes are declaring it a "BDS Victory". Send in the clowns. Er, the Press releases.
"The BDS National Committee (BNC) has declared a long sought-after victory as Alstom lost the bid for the second phase of the Saudi Haramain Railway project, worth 10 billion dollars, after pressure from the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, including effective campaigning from the newly launched KARAMA, a European campaign to Keep Alstom Rail And Metro Away"
What really happened? A standard bidding process for a contract was initialized, and the top bidder won the contract
From Reuters:
Saudi Arabia, Oct 26 - The Saudi Railways Organisation has awarded a 6.74 billion euro ($9.4 billion) contract for the second phase of its high-speed Haramain railway project to the public-private Saudi-Spanish Al-Shoula consortium.
The high-speed Haramain Railway will link Islam's holiest cities Mecca and Medina to the Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah, a key entry point for millions of pilgrims, and to King Abdullah Economic City, currently under construction...
The Al-Shoula consortium is made up of Spanish public rail companies including state railway operator Renfe and rail track company Adif, as well as private constructors OHL , ACS and Indra and Saudi companies Al Shoula y Al Rosan.
But, but, but, the BDS'er s whined…. We did have a role. We did . We did. Look "multiple factors" were involved. That means us. We are "mutiple factors".
"In commenting on the fierce competition between the Alstom-led consortium and its Spanish-led rival over the second phase of the lucrative Haramain Railway project, Emirati newspaper, Al-Ittihad, referred to “multiple factors” affecting the decision to award the contract, suggesting that political factors may have been taken into consideration."
Uh huh.
What the BDS'ers may not have noticed is that just today
Alstom Signs EUR325 Million Contract For Venezuela Subway Train Line.
Will their press release read "BDS defeat?" I somehow doubt it
Monday, October 3, 2011
Only 12 Swedish professors sign BDS petition. BDS'ers exault in victory
You'd think it was a major victory, judging by the tweets.
geminiacal Trudi Hodges
Loving Sweden @avinunu: Swedish students & educators call 4 academic boycott of Israeli universities #BDS
MPACUK MPACUK
The BDS movement is growing ever more international & is having an impact. Here is an example from #Sweden . #Palestine
topshottah007 Willy Bounce
RT @norabf: Go Sweden! My new blog post on @intifada: Swedes call for academic boycott of Israel #BDS
norabf Nora BarrowsFriedman
Go Sweden! My new blog post on @intifada: Swedes call for academic boycott of Israel #BDS
sendbee jean
#Sweden : Swedes call for academic boycott of Israel | The Electronic Intifada #Palestine #BDS @hakansunar
jmcest JMCE
RT @antloewenstein Major #Swedish call for severing of academic ties between #Israel and #Sweden #BDS
Whats the real story?
218 signed the call for a Swedish academic boycott of Israel
Twelve of the signatories are professors, while 14 are associate professors, 23 senior lecturers or researchers and 70 are students.
Out of a population of nine million, 218 signed a petition, and this is touted as a "major" BDS victory.
Kiss my BDS
geminiacal Trudi Hodges
Loving Sweden @avinunu: Swedish students & educators call 4 academic boycott of Israeli universities #BDS
MPACUK MPACUK
The BDS movement is growing ever more international & is having an impact. Here is an example from #Sweden . #Palestine
topshottah007 Willy Bounce
RT @norabf: Go Sweden! My new blog post on @intifada: Swedes call for academic boycott of Israel #BDS
norabf Nora BarrowsFriedman
Go Sweden! My new blog post on @intifada: Swedes call for academic boycott of Israel #BDS
sendbee jean
#Sweden : Swedes call for academic boycott of Israel | The Electronic Intifada #Palestine #BDS @hakansunar
jmcest JMCE
RT @antloewenstein Major #Swedish call for severing of academic ties between #Israel and #Sweden #BDS
Whats the real story?
218 signed the call for a Swedish academic boycott of Israel
Twelve of the signatories are professors, while 14 are associate professors, 23 senior lecturers or researchers and 70 are students.
Out of a population of nine million, 218 signed a petition, and this is touted as a "major" BDS victory.
Kiss my BDS
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Soda stream grows 38%. BDS fail. Again.
Kiss my BDS.
A brief message to the BDS cru.
You've failed. Again.
After months of planning, and organizing and conspiring, this years object of hate for the Israel bashers is SodaStream, "a smarter way to enjoy soda". It seemed like a good choice. After all, with that $99 price tag, it would be hard to counter with a buycott. And how many seltzer machines would one family need anyway? And flash mob after flash mob after flash mob were planned, each goofier than the last. Older, flabbier, sadder. After all their efforts, what have they achieved?
From the famed investment advisers at Motley fool:
"SodaStream's growth has been undeniable. It grew revenue by 38% -- and adjusted earnings soared 161% -- in its most recent quarter. The product's popularity continues to grow, evidenced by its financial metrics and its broadening retail last year. Bed Bath & Beyond (Nasdaq: BBBY ) and Williams-Sonoma (NYSE: WSM ) began stocking SodaStream starter kits and flavor concentrates last year, and the product is growing beyond housewares retailers with this summer's rollout at Best Buy (NYSE: BBY ) . "
BDS fail. BDS epic fail.
A brief message to the BDS cru.
You've failed. Again.
After months of planning, and organizing and conspiring, this years object of hate for the Israel bashers is SodaStream, "a smarter way to enjoy soda". It seemed like a good choice. After all, with that $99 price tag, it would be hard to counter with a buycott. And how many seltzer machines would one family need anyway? And flash mob after flash mob after flash mob were planned, each goofier than the last. Older, flabbier, sadder. After all their efforts, what have they achieved?
From the famed investment advisers at Motley fool:
"SodaStream's growth has been undeniable. It grew revenue by 38% -- and adjusted earnings soared 161% -- in its most recent quarter. The product's popularity continues to grow, evidenced by its financial metrics and its broadening retail last year. Bed Bath & Beyond (Nasdaq: BBBY ) and Williams-Sonoma (NYSE: WSM ) began stocking SodaStream starter kits and flavor concentrates last year, and the product is growing beyond housewares retailers with this summer's rollout at Best Buy (NYSE: BBY ) . "
BDS fail. BDS epic fail.
Friday, May 13, 2011
BDS Day of Hate: Epic fail
Visitors at the Buy Israeli Goods Website jumped from 3,700 in February to 49,000 in March, 2011 in response to the March 30 anti-Israel boycott and strong promotional efforts by StandWithUs. Over 9,500 visitors to BIG left to go to the websites of Israeli online sellers.
There you have it. Quantitative proof of Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) as a losing strategy.
What do you have to show for yourself, Omar? Oh, that's right. Your little friends attempted a "flash mob" or two.
Locally, in the belly of beast, Northern California, the absence of a single successful boycott attempt in years of trying has weighed heavily on team Hate. What can you do when all your flash mobs and tabling attempts fail? Why, you resort to petty vandalism.
Berkeley knuckle-draggers show off after vandalizing kosher Israeli food at the local Safeway
The Davis food co-op experienced the same phenomenon- many bottles of kosher wine were vandalized after the Co-op refused to yield to boycott pressure.
Even tiny local stores that refuse to capitulate to the demands of BDS'ers have been targeted. Our beloved Zand market in Albany was recently vandalized- the Persian proprietors refuse to capitulate to the bullies, and will continue to stock the products we all enjoy.
Vandalism. Bullying. Threats. Intimidation. All part of the tool chest of the BDS'ers. Can you say "Loser"? I know you can.
There you have it. Quantitative proof of Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) as a losing strategy.
What do you have to show for yourself, Omar? Oh, that's right. Your little friends attempted a "flash mob" or two.
Locally, in the belly of beast, Northern California, the absence of a single successful boycott attempt in years of trying has weighed heavily on team Hate. What can you do when all your flash mobs and tabling attempts fail? Why, you resort to petty vandalism.
Berkeley knuckle-draggers show off after vandalizing kosher Israeli food at the local Safeway
The Davis food co-op experienced the same phenomenon- many bottles of kosher wine were vandalized after the Co-op refused to yield to boycott pressure.
Even tiny local stores that refuse to capitulate to the demands of BDS'ers have been targeted. Our beloved Zand market in Albany was recently vandalized- the Persian proprietors refuse to capitulate to the bullies, and will continue to stock the products we all enjoy.
Vandalism. Bullying. Threats. Intimidation. All part of the tool chest of the BDS'ers. Can you say "Loser"? I know you can.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
BDS: A Decade of lies, hoaxes and failures
Eric Walberg's recent article "BDS update: Breaking new barriers" probably wasn't meant to be funny, but its hard not to read it and giggle. Since its introduction at Durban, 11 years ago, the BDS tactic has had racked up a well documented record of failures. Walberg doesn't appear to have noticed yet.
Walbergs article- found here- begins with a hoax:
dissidentvoice.org/2011/04/bds-breaking-new-barriers/
He exploits 92 year old activist Pete Seeger who participated in an online special promoting the progressive Israeli Arava institute. Walberg claims Seeger repudiated his involvement with the project which had the audacity to promote peaceful co-existence in the region. The real story "The 92-year-old musician also said that contrary to the Adalah-NY report, he does not regret taking part in last November’s online peace rally “With Earth and Each Other...”
Other "victories" according to Walberg?
Dead end displays on campus that are widely ignored. Dead end petitions that go nowhere. Self congratulatory films. (Surprised he didn't mention this classy display of barbed wire across a busy path at UC Berkeley during " Israel Apartheid week")
Walberg couldn't resist claiming that Hampshire University " became the first to divest from the Israeli occupation, following its anti-racism Action Awareness Week 2008." Does anyone want to remind poor Eric that he is continuing to promugate a lie-one begun by anti-Israel students on Hampshire's campus. An open letter from Hampshire College President Ralph Hexter and their Board of Trustees Chair Sigmund Roos plainly refutes this untruth: "Hampshire College has made a strenuous, good-faith effort to explain its decision to exit a problematic mutual fund. We make this effort again, without equivocation: Israel was not the cause for divestment from the State Street fund."According to the letter, Hampshire's decision was based on a variety of criteria, "none of them having to do with Israel. … No other college or university (should) use Hampshire as a precedent for divesting from Israel, since Hampshire has refused to divest from Israel. Anyone who claims otherwise is deliberately misrepresenting Hampshire's decision and has no right to speak for the college."
Eric claims a year of "spectacular and frequent BDS actions"- referring no doubt to pudgy women in pink bathrobes bothering shoppers, or failed attempts at song and dance routines.
Wallberg claims "The most important BDS-inspired event of 2011, marking the first anniversary of the tragic Israeli attack on the Mavi Marmara last May, will be the Free Gaza Movement flotilla expected in late May, when 12 ships carrying a thousand peace activists with humanitarian supplies will head for Gaza".
Eric. Eric. Eric. Don't you ever read what the leaders of your failed movement have to say? This has never been about delivering "humanitarian aid" to the people of Gaza (frankly, they don't particularly want the mismatched shoes or expired medicine)
From Greta Berlin's Facebook page:
This is about opening the sea lanes to Iranian weapons.
Walbergs article- found here- begins with a hoax:
dissidentvoice.org/2011/04/bds-breaking-new-barriers/
He exploits 92 year old activist Pete Seeger who participated in an online special promoting the progressive Israeli Arava institute. Walberg claims Seeger repudiated his involvement with the project which had the audacity to promote peaceful co-existence in the region. The real story "The 92-year-old musician also said that contrary to the Adalah-NY report, he does not regret taking part in last November’s online peace rally “With Earth and Each Other...”
Other "victories" according to Walberg?
Dead end displays on campus that are widely ignored. Dead end petitions that go nowhere. Self congratulatory films. (Surprised he didn't mention this classy display of barbed wire across a busy path at UC Berkeley during " Israel Apartheid week")
Walberg couldn't resist claiming that Hampshire University " became the first to divest from the Israeli occupation, following its anti-racism Action Awareness Week 2008." Does anyone want to remind poor Eric that he is continuing to promugate a lie-one begun by anti-Israel students on Hampshire's campus. An open letter from Hampshire College President Ralph Hexter and their Board of Trustees Chair Sigmund Roos plainly refutes this untruth: "Hampshire College has made a strenuous, good-faith effort to explain its decision to exit a problematic mutual fund. We make this effort again, without equivocation: Israel was not the cause for divestment from the State Street fund."According to the letter, Hampshire's decision was based on a variety of criteria, "none of them having to do with Israel. … No other college or university (should) use Hampshire as a precedent for divesting from Israel, since Hampshire has refused to divest from Israel. Anyone who claims otherwise is deliberately misrepresenting Hampshire's decision and has no right to speak for the college."
Eric claims a year of "spectacular and frequent BDS actions"- referring no doubt to pudgy women in pink bathrobes bothering shoppers, or failed attempts at song and dance routines.
Wallberg claims "The most important BDS-inspired event of 2011, marking the first anniversary of the tragic Israeli attack on the Mavi Marmara last May, will be the Free Gaza Movement flotilla expected in late May, when 12 ships carrying a thousand peace activists with humanitarian supplies will head for Gaza".
Eric. Eric. Eric. Don't you ever read what the leaders of your failed movement have to say? This has never been about delivering "humanitarian aid" to the people of Gaza (frankly, they don't particularly want the mismatched shoes or expired medicine)
From Greta Berlin's Facebook page:
This is about opening the sea lanes to Iranian weapons.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Failures Of BDS: A J Weekly Interview with Jon Haber
Boston based blogger Jon Haber from Divest this recently visited the Bay area, discussing the failure of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions(BDS) movement with local activists.
From his interview in J Weekly
Since 2001, BDS advocates have tried to persuade colleges, churches and others to buy in to their credo of boycotting Israeli goods, divesting from Israeli companies and urging governments to impose sanctions on Israel.
So far, Haber said, they have virtually nothing to show for their efforts.
Haber was in the Bay Area last week meeting with supporters. His core message: While vigilance remains necessary, the BDS movement has failed.
It has not persuaded a single institution to divest from Israel for political reasons, Haber insisted, adding that boycott efforts often backfire — especially when pro-Israel groups such as StandWithUs organizing “buycotts” of Israeli products.
Notes Haber, “When I talk to Jewish groups I say, ‘Don’t panic, but don’t be complacent.’”
He says the BDS movement is not a movement at all, but rather a tactic that has been employed by those who seek to delegitimize Israel. It launched a decade ago with the U.N.-sponsored Durban Conference, which equated Zionism with racism.
Jon concludes:
“You can only go so long without victories. America is not turning against Israel. The message of [Israeli] apartheid does not resonate at all — in fact, quite the opposite.”
Read the full interview here
From his interview in J Weekly
Since 2001, BDS advocates have tried to persuade colleges, churches and others to buy in to their credo of boycotting Israeli goods, divesting from Israeli companies and urging governments to impose sanctions on Israel.
So far, Haber said, they have virtually nothing to show for their efforts.
Haber was in the Bay Area last week meeting with supporters. His core message: While vigilance remains necessary, the BDS movement has failed.
It has not persuaded a single institution to divest from Israel for political reasons, Haber insisted, adding that boycott efforts often backfire — especially when pro-Israel groups such as StandWithUs organizing “buycotts” of Israeli products.
Notes Haber, “When I talk to Jewish groups I say, ‘Don’t panic, but don’t be complacent.’”
He says the BDS movement is not a movement at all, but rather a tactic that has been employed by those who seek to delegitimize Israel. It launched a decade ago with the U.N.-sponsored Durban Conference, which equated Zionism with racism.
Jon concludes:
“You can only go so long without victories. America is not turning against Israel. The message of [Israeli] apartheid does not resonate at all — in fact, quite the opposite.”
Read the full interview here
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Hows that Boycott going, btw? Al Gore invests $10m. in Israeli solar energy projects
Read the full article at Jpost
"Tigo Energy Inc. has raised $10 million in its third financing round plus a $10 million credit line from Climate Solutions Fund LP, managed Generation Investment Management LLP, whose chairman is former US Vice President Al Gore. Tigo develops solutions to maximize output by photovoltaic installations.
Tigo CEO Sam Arditi and president and COO Ran Hadar founded the company in 2007. The company is headquartered in Silicon Valley and has a development center in Kfar Saba with 30 employees....
Tigo's product, the Maximizer boosts power output of photovoltaic systems of any size from residential to utility scale by up to 20% by reducing the effects of shade, dust, clouds and uneven temperature on system performance. Israeli engineers developed the technology
Tigo has installed several Maximizer at PV systems worldwide, including at a 600-kilowatt facility in California and at a 500-kilowatt facility at Moshav Tagor in Israel. "We're getting good feedback from the people at Tagor, who say that energy exploitation rose 15%. We have a work plan for the period ahead, which includes installing our product extensively in Israel and other countries," said Hadar.
Hadar said that PV installations were being built at a rate of 10 megawatts a month, including in Europe and Asia, which boost Tigo's growth rate multifold. "Our sales grow 400% per quarter. In addition to the latest investment, we have a solid foundation for further development activity. By the end of the coming year, we'll market solar panels embedded with the Maximizer," said Hadar.
Tigo expects $30 million in sales in 2011."
So, hows that boycott going, btw?
"Tigo Energy Inc. has raised $10 million in its third financing round plus a $10 million credit line from Climate Solutions Fund LP, managed Generation Investment Management LLP, whose chairman is former US Vice President Al Gore. Tigo develops solutions to maximize output by photovoltaic installations.
Tigo CEO Sam Arditi and president and COO Ran Hadar founded the company in 2007. The company is headquartered in Silicon Valley and has a development center in Kfar Saba with 30 employees....
Tigo's product, the Maximizer boosts power output of photovoltaic systems of any size from residential to utility scale by up to 20% by reducing the effects of shade, dust, clouds and uneven temperature on system performance. Israeli engineers developed the technology
Tigo has installed several Maximizer at PV systems worldwide, including at a 600-kilowatt facility in California and at a 500-kilowatt facility at Moshav Tagor in Israel. "We're getting good feedback from the people at Tagor, who say that energy exploitation rose 15%. We have a work plan for the period ahead, which includes installing our product extensively in Israel and other countries," said Hadar.
Hadar said that PV installations were being built at a rate of 10 megawatts a month, including in Europe and Asia, which boost Tigo's growth rate multifold. "Our sales grow 400% per quarter. In addition to the latest investment, we have a solid foundation for further development activity. By the end of the coming year, we'll market solar panels embedded with the Maximizer," said Hadar.
Tigo expects $30 million in sales in 2011."
So, hows that boycott going, btw?
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