Assil decidedly chooses to use “Arab” over “Middle Eastern” when describing her concept. “I wanted it to be political,” she said. “People are afraid of politics, but now more than ever people are asking. If my food can stir up a conversation — even if it’s a hard conversation — that’s what I want it to do. I welcome that in my space.”
Reem Assil 's commitment to open dialog and conversation apparently is limited to those who agree with her. On her Facebook page, she has urged her followers to rate down negative comments on Yelp, and to give her establishment positive reviews
Reem Assil, a local anti-Israel activist and member of the extremist Arab Resource Organizing Center (AROC) solicited her political connections to shut down complaints about her new bakery. Anti-Israel activists from as far away as Texas, many who have never set foot in the bakery were quick to leap to her defense, sharing notes on how to game the Yelp review process, and chortling over their success in shutting down negative reviews.
Let this be a cautionary tale to those who rely on Yelp reviews. Apparently it is not difficult to trick the Yelp review algorithm. And let this also serve as an example of how anti-Israel activists will stop at nothing in their ruthless attempt to shut down voices that challenge them- even if the voices are simply complaining about burnt flatbread and surly service.
