Counter Anti-Israel Rally for December 14th

From our friends at San Francisco Voice for Israel

Action Alert: Counter Anti-Israel Rally for December 14th
Monday, December 14, 5pm
The Westin St. Francis
335 Powell St, San Francisco

According to the New York Times, AIPAC is the most important organization affecting the US’s relationship with Israel. AIPAC works to lobby for pro-Israel legislation and to educate legislators on issues related to the US-Israeli relationship.

Every year, AIPAC holds gala events throughout the Bay Area. This year, the enemies of America and Israel, including extremist groups ANSWER and the Arab Resource Organizing Center (AROC) are planning on protesting the event, and harassing event attendees. They are calling for an end to the “unbreakable bond” that link our democracies.

San Francisco Voice For Israel will be there to be sure the pro-Israel voice is represented and to help ensure attendees will be able to enter the hotel unmolested.

Please come join us. The protests typically are only nominally about AIPAC and mostly about demonizing Israel.

Keep in mind that those who will be demonstrating against Israel excuse stabbings and car assaults on Israeli civilians. Many openly support such actions.If you are going back to a parking garage after our counterprotest, please travel in groups.

As always, feel free to make your own signs but please no signs or graphics offensive to any racial or ethnic group including but not limited to Arabs, Islam, or Palestinians.

Berkeley Women in Black: Lying to Students at UC Berkeley

"Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. ” 
Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov

From Emunah:

Every Friday, for years,  a group of anti-Israel activists have held court at the corner of Bancroft and Telegraph in Berkeley, calling themselves "Berkeley Women in Black"  Its a particularly vile group. They are countered each week by a pro-Israel, pro-Peace group

This month two of the regulars, Berkeley Professor Andrew Guiterrez and his wife, Marina are commemorating the anniversary of Operation Protective Edge in Gaza with...wait for it... photos from Syria.

Prof. Andrew Guiterrez displaying photos from Syria

Evidence was presented to Prof. Guiterrez that at least one of the photos in question predated the Gaza defensive by at least a year, and was in fact from Syria.

His response?

He called the police.

Marina and Andrew Gutierrez in Operation: Annoy the Zionists 

It takes a special kind of evil to knowingly spread falsehood. Its particularly egregious when the person in question is a University professor at one of the finest schools on the West coast.. Andrew Guiterrez provides us with yet another example of how truth is often the first causality of an extremist ideology.

Max Blumenthal Comes to Berkeley

Via Emunah:

On July 1, Max Blumenthal brought his travelling hate show to Berkeley.

Hate speech should never go unchallenged and community members, organized by San Francisco Voice for Israel held a vigil in front of the First Congregational Church.  Organizers of the vigil issued guidelines regarding signage, reminding participants not to stoop to the hateful  level of Blumenthal's supporters.  Max Blumenthal's writing is so beyond the pale that it has earned the endorsement of the extremist group Stormfront and former KKK president David Duke.

Max derided the organizers  for their anti-racism stand, on Twitter.

Mona Holland, a self described  "civil liberties extremist" and " hasbara debunker" responded  by saying  "I can't imagine "our side" having 2 issue "don't condemn all the Jews" guidelines.

Mona lacks imagination.

Mona- have you ever seen the signage from San Francisco anti-Israel rallies?

Is this acceptable to you, Mona?

"Its the Jews, Stupid"

Any feelings about this one, Mona?

Jews are Terroist

Is there ever a time when the messaging "Kill Jews" is acceptable, Mona?

Kill Jews

The vigil in front of the First Congregational Church in Berkeley was largely uneventful. Flyers documenting Blumenthals' extremism were distributed.  Conversations were held with anyone who'd listen.

UC Berkeley grad student and SJP member David McCleary came over to chat

Even Max Blumenthal came out to take photos with the group

Israel Soldiers Stories: Northern California Tour

Via Dr. Mike Harris at San Francisco Voice for Israel

Every spring, StandWithUs brings Israel Defense Forces veterans on tour throughout the United States. This program features reserve duty Israeli college students who talk about the Israeli-Arab conflict, giving a human face to the IDF uniform. In addition to IDF service, they are graduates of the StandWithUs Israel Fellowship, a unique public diplomacy program that selects and trains 150 student leaders each year from six Israeli universities. The soldiers speak in a number of cities across North America, in venues including university campuses, schools, synagogues, and churches. Our soldiers share their personal experiences with tens of thousands of students and community members each year.

This year's soldiers, Kokit and Tslil, will be in Northern California next week. Kokit was born in Ethiopia and moved to Israel with her family as an infant. Kokit served in the IDF for seven years as the lead officer for the Department of Basic Training, a Safety and Training Officer at the pilot cadet course, and finally serving as a training officer at the Aerospace Defense headquarters. In March 2014, Kokit participated in a delegation that traveled to South Africa to help combat “Israel Apartheid Week,” where she spoke to students about her experiences as a black Jewish woman living in Israel. Kokit is currently studying law and government at IDC Herzliya. She enjoys reading and is addicted to shopping.

Tslil was born in Kibbutz Regavim in northern Israel and is currently living in Tel- Aviv. Tslil served four years in the IDF, during the 2005 withdrawal from Gaza, Gilad Shalit`s abduction and the Second Lebanon War in 2006, Operation Cast Lead in 2008, and Operations Pillar of Defense in 2012 and Protective Edge in 2014, as a Captain Reserve in the Maglan Unit. Tslil earned his B.A. in Political Science and Communications from Tel Aviv University and is a graduate of the Koteret School of Journalism. Tslil worked as a spokesperson for the Vice Speaker of the Knesset, MP Pnina Tamano Shata of the “Yesh- Atid” Party. As an alumnus of StandWithUs` 2012 Israel Fellowship, Tslil is currently working as a digital media consultant for a firm which provides public relation services and strategic media consulting. Tslil is now a volunteer spokesperson for One Day Social Volunteering Israel.

Monday 4/20

6:00pm at Silicon Valley Hillel, San Jose

Tuesday 4/21
1:00pm at University of California Santa Cruz

Wednesday 4/22
8:30am at The San Francisco Jewish Community Federation

Thursday 4/23
10:30am at Congregation Shomrei Torah, Sonoma
7:00pm at Chico State University

Friday 4/24
1:00pm at California Capitol Building, Sacramento

Saturday 4/25
10:00am at Mosaic Law Synagogue, Sacramento

Sunday 4/26
6:00pm at Convergence House of Prayer, Fremont

San Francisco: 3,000 Strong in Solidarity with Israel

There was an amazing show of solidarity at todays  pro-Israel rally at Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco Thousands gathered to sing, to pray, and to listen to elected officials, community leaders and clergy, who proudly identified, as so many of us do, as pro-peace Zionists

Got hope?    I do  now.

UPDATE:

San Francisco pro-Israel activism is finally noticed by the media.

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Pro-Israel-marchers-set-to-gather-at-S-F-rally-5665638.php

http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-California/2014/08/04/San-Francisco-Holds-Peaceful-Pro-Israel-Rally

http://www.jta.org/2014/08/05/news-opinion/united-states/pro-israel-pro-peace-rally-draws-3000-in-san-francisco

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4554970,00.html

http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/72253/crowd-of-3000-stands-with-israel-at-s.f.-rally/comment/

 

The Bay Stands With Israel

 From Dr. Mike, of San Francisco Voice for Israel:

 The Bay Area Jewish community is coming together in a way we have not seen for years, to stand together with Israel.  All of our major pro-Israel organizations, and many synagogues and other community groups, are joining together this Sunday.  

We want to see a sea of blue and white filling Civic Center Plaza and marching down Market Street. We want to, as Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel once famously said, "pray with our feet" as well as with our voices. We want to show the Bay Area that the pro-Israel community is here and that we are strong. We want to hear voices ringing out calling for peace, while understanding that Hamas is the enemy of peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.  We want to show the TV cameras and the newspaper photographers that Civic Center Plaza looks much better supporting a democratic country with civil rights and freedoms, than it does when our opponents use hate speech to support the Hamas regime that oppresses women and minorities and uses its own children as slave labor and human shields.  

And we can't see that happening as powerfully as possible without YOU. This is the most important thing you can do this Sunday. 

Be there. Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco. Noon to 2 PM. Stand with your friends. Stand with your community. Stand for Israel.

 *************

This is what solidarity looks like.

Join  the Bay area Jewish community and their allies in San Francisco's Civic Center Sunday Aug 3 12- 2, as we join together in prayer, in peace and in solidarity with Israel

Thanks to all the supporting organizations:
* ICC@JCC
* Stand With US
* Israeli Executives and Founders Forum
* Israeli American Council
* Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley
* Jewish Community Federation
* BBYO - Jewish Teen Leaders
* Congregation Beth Am
* Jewish Federation of the East Bay
* National Council of Jewish Women San Francisco
* Mishelanu
* Friends of Israel Scouts, Inc. Tzofim
* JCC of Silicon Valley
* South Peninsula Hebrew Day
* Hillel of Silicon Valley
* Kehila Hewish High
* Bank Leumi USA
* Jewish High Tech Community
* Congregation Emeth
* Congregation Beth David
* Zionist Organization of America
* American Jewish Committee San Francisco
* Congregation Kol Emeth
* Jewish National Fund
* Congregation Sinai
* Jewish Family Services
* Temple Emanu-El
* Yavneh Day School
* Hadassah - Women's Zionist Organization of America
* Congregation Emek Beracha
* Bay Area Friendship Circle
* Chabad Israeli community
* Russian American Newspaper "Kstati"
* Congregation Shir Hadash
* American Associates Ben-Gurion University
* American Friends of Tel Aviv University
* California Israel Chamber of Commerce
* A Wider Bridge
* Stanford Israel Alliance
* Israeli Students Organization @Stanford
* Temple Beth Abraham
* American Friends of Magen David Adom

Stand For Israel in San Francisco

 From our friends at San Francisco Voice for Israel

Stand up for Israel's right to exist as a Jewish State within secure borders and free from attacks.

Where: Downtown San Francisco, Justin Herman Plaza
When: Saturday July, 26 12:30 to 1:30pm

Israel is still under siege. In just over two weeks, over 2200 rockets have been fired on the people of Israel, an average of one every ten minutes. Hamas stores its rockets and weaponry in mosques, schools and hospitals. Reporters on the ground have documented Hamas militants using children as combatants. Ben Gurion international airport has been the target of terrorist rockets, and several airlines have canceled their flights. Yet in spite of this, humanitarian aid continues to flow through Israel into Gaza.

This Saturday, extremist anti-Israel groups are again rallying to demand an end to Israel’s right to safeguard its citizens .These groups remain blind to the suffering of the Israeli people, and willfully ignore the role of Hamas in perpetuating the misery of the people of Gaza. From their past demonstrations it is clear these groups object not only to Israel’s defensive actions to protect her citizens, but to the very existence of Israel itself. Last weeks anti-Israel rally featured classic anti-semitism, signs supporting Hamas, and the glorification of terrorists dedicated to the destruction of Israel.

Please add your voice to those gathering in solidarity with our friends and family in Israel. Our messages will be that Israel has the right to defend its citizens, that Hamas rocket fire must stop, and that the enemies of peace are those who promote ongoing war in pursuit of a "river to the sea" Arab state.

We will NOT allow any signs calling for violence against Arabs or Muslims in general; just because the other side engages in vicious hate speech does not mean that we will lower ourselves to their level. Anyone bringing such signs will be identified to the San Francisco Police as a provocateur from the other side and removed. A selection of very useful signs can be found at http://www.standwithus.com/signs/.
Please note that these rallies often attract hard-core anti-Semites who have been known to engage in violence. We advise that those leaving the scene should not walk alone and should not engage verbally with any of the anti-Israel crowd. We also expect those on our side to follow any instructions from the San Francisco Police that might be issued for our safety.

Please come to help counter the lies of these anti-Israel groups, none of whom even accept Israel's right to exist, let alone defend itself!

San Francisco Emergency Solidarity Gathering

Sunday, July 20, 4:00PM - 5:30PM
Congregation Emanu-El
2 Lake Street, San Francisco, CA

Organized for the community by the Jewish Community Relations Council, The Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund and the Board of Rabbis of Northern California.

As Israel continues to face incessant rocket fire from Gaza and Hamas rejects Israel's offers of a ceasefire, we call on our community to come together for a mass gathering to stand with the people of Israel during this difficult time.

The event will include remarks from Israeli Consul General Dr. Andy David, elected officials and community leaders, as well as a moving musical performance.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Israel.

UPDATE (from San Francisco Voice for Israel): 

We've just been notified that a group of young Israelis from the Peninsula (the Israeli Cultural Connection at the Oshman Family Palo Alto JCC) are organizing a march in San Francisco prior to tomorrow's community solidarity rally at Congregation Emanu-El which begins at 4 PM.  StandWithUs/SF Voice for Israel is delighted to join them in this event.

We are asking people to meet at 2:30 at the parking lot of 3333 California Street, directly across the street from the San Francisco JCC. Parking will be available in this lot or in the SFJCC garage.  

We will be bringing some Israeli and American flags, and pro-Israel signs. Please feel free to bring your own as well. Our messages will be that Israel has the right to defend its citizens, that Hamas rocket fire must stop, and that the enemies of peace are those who promote ongoing war in pursuit of a "river to the sea" Arab state.

We will NOT allow any signs calling for violence against Arabs or Muslims in general; just because the other side engages in vicious hate speech does not mean that we will lower ourselves to their level. Anyone bringing such signs will be identified to the San Francisco Police as a provocateur from the other side and removed. A selection of very useful signs can be found at http://www.standwithus.com/signs/.

We will then march to Emanu-El which is 8/10 of a mile away, and attend the solidarity event.  

Looking forward to seeing many of you there!

San Francisco Stands With Israel

A beautiful multi-generational crowd gathered in San Francisco's Justin Herman Plaza today for a noon solidarity with Israel rally. While the Israel supporters sang songs of Peace, young jihadis in the plaza chanted for endless war and for Intifada

And because its San Francisco, only a thin blue line separated the frothing at the mouth jihadis from the pro-Israel pro-peace side.

Thats probably just as well. The level of intelligent discourse from the pro-hate side was rather lacking.

While the pro-Israel pro-Peace side sang songs of prayer, songs of solidarity and songs of hope, well, the thugs on the other side prepared for an assault on the group that never quite happened, thanks to the fine work of the San Francisco Police Department

Join San Francisco Voice for Israel this weekend

Frustrated? Understandable. We all are.  Want  to help? Start here.
From our friends at San francisco Voice for Israel:

 

ACTION ALERT: Please forward widely

Stand up for Israel's right to exist as a Jewish State within secure borders and free from attacks.
Where: Downtown San Francisco, Justin Herman Plaza
When: Saturday July, 12 noon to 1:00

More than 400 rockets have been fired into Israel from Gaza in the past 72 hours. Rockets have been launched at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, putting millions of Israeli citizens at risk. Each of the rockets fired from Gaza jeopardizes Palestinian civilians, who are cynically used as human shields by their own leadership. Despite the barrage of rockets from Gaza, Israel continues to coordinate truckloads of humanitarian aid to Gaza

Now, in yet another of their morally bankrupt demonstrations, extremist anti-Israel groups are rallying to demand an end to Israeli right to safeguard its citizens.

Please add your voice to those gathering in solidarity with our friends and family in Israel. Our messages will be that Israel has the right to defend its citizens, that Hamas rocket fire must stop, and that the enemies of peace are those who promote ongoing war in pursuit of a "river to the sea" Arab state.

We will NOT allow any signs calling for violence against Arabs or Muslims in general; just because the other side will engage in vicious hate speech does not mean that we will lower ourselves to their level. Anyone bringing such signs will be identified to the San Francisco Police as a provocateur from the other side and removed. A selection of very useful signs can be found at http://www.standwithus.com/signs/.

 Please note that these rallies often attract hard-core anti-Semites who have been known to engage in violence. We advise that those leaving the scene should not walk alone and should not engage verbally with any of the anti-Israel crowd. We also expect those on our side to follow any instructions from the San Francisco Police that might be issued for our safety.

Please come to help counter the lies of these anti-Israel groups, none of whom even accept Israel's right to exist, let alone defend itself!

Please join us if you can and spread the message to your friends and mailing lists.

http://www.standwithus.com/

Join the SF Voice For Israel group on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22259707003

Follow them on Twitter @sfv4i

 

Solidarity rally for Israel in San Francisco

From our friends at San Francisco Voice for Israel

Photos from the streets of San Francisco, and a solidarity with Israel rally held today, July 7in front of the Israeli Consulate

And yes, the haters of light were gathered in force.  Their rally, sponsored by AROC: Arab Resource & Organizing Center, ANSWER, Coalition For Palestinian Rights (San Francisco), East Bay ACC, Bay Area PAC, MECA, United Holy LandFund (SF), USPCN, Palestinian youth movement (PYM), the International Jewish Antizionist Network (IJAN), Freedom Archives. International Solidarity Movement ISM and Free Palestine Movement featured  frenzied chants of "We support the Intifada",  "Allahu Akbar" and the classic  "Ba ruh, ba dam, nafdeek ya Falastin"

 Keeping it classy on the pro-hate side

UPDATE:
Youtube from Monday's protest at the Israeli consulate in San Francisco 

Bay Area Anti-Israel rallies (and a bright ray of hope)

Once again, we see disgusting hyperbole and invective in the promotion of an anti-Israel rally scheduled for Sacramento, on Monday July 7. 

Its no better in San Francisco, where jihadists  proudly proclaim their desire for the destruction of the world's only Jewish state by promoting their demonstration "From the River to the Sea", to be held in front of the "Isra-hell" consulate.

But there is a ray of hope, as Zionist organizations fight back.  From San Francisco Voice for Israel:

To all friends of Israel and the Jewish people:

YOUR PRESENCE IS NEEDED AGAINST THOSE PROMOTING HATE AND VIOLENCE AGAINST US.

Monday afternoon July 7, 5-6 PM.
Israeli Consulate building, 456 Montgomery St, San Francisco

This has been a difficult week for Israel, starting with the discovery of the bodies of Eyal, Gilad and Naftali on Monday, escalation of Hamas rocket attacks from Gaza against Israeli towns and cities, and now with violence in the streets of Israel by Arab extremists. Those who celebrate those events-- and call for more violence-- will rally in front of the Israeli Consulate on Monday, to protest any effort by Israel to protect its own citizens.

StandWithUs/SF Voice for Israel will be countering this demonstration by International ANSWER and its extremist allies, all of whom define "Israeli occupation" as the very existence of the Jewish state. ANSWER rallies in the past have featured graphic anti-Semitic imagery as well as signs and chants calling for more rockets, more terror, and more Jewish blood.

Our messages will be that Israel has the right to defend its citizens, that Hamas rocket fire must stop, and that the enemies of peace are those who promote ongoing war in pursuit of a "river to the sea" Arab state.

Logistically, we will not be able to bring a quantity of signs and flags, so please bring your own. We will NOT allow any signs calling for violence against Arabs or Muslims in general; just because the other side will engage in vicious hate speech does not mean that we will lower ourselves to their level. Anyone bringing such signs will be identified to the San Francisco Police as a provocateur from the other side and removed. A selection of very useful signs can be found at http://www.standwithus.com/signs/.

Please note that ANSWER rallies attract hard-core anti-Semites who have been known to engage in violence. We advise that those leaving the scene should not walk alone and should not engage verbally with any of the anti-Israel crowd. We also expect those on our side to follow any instructions from the San Francisco Police that might be issued for our safety.

 For  more information , see the Facebook page

San Francisco Voice for Israel. Not a Eulogy, I hope.

Reading  the Elder of Ziyon's  tribute to Sussex Friends of Israel brought back memories of San Francisco Voice for Israel, a local grass roots Israel activist group that did well at everything, except perhaps self-promotion.

San Francisco Voice for Israel was established in 2004 in occupied northern California as a grass roots response to the blatant demonization of Israel seen on the streets of San Francisco.

They organized. They wrote letters to the editor. They blogged. They countered every anti-Israel event for miles, making sure there was balance and truth.

They stood against thousands, documenting hate, documenting the antisemitism of the "progressive left"

They documented the willingness of such groups as Jewish Voice for peace  to turn a blind eye and stand shoulder to shoulder with those that would destroy Israel as the state of the Jewish people

SFV4I routinely stood strong in this "hub of demonization", sometimes thousands strong,

and sometimes with just a few stalwarts.

In 2008 one of their best and brightest was found dead in an elevator shaft, in the building where he took Arabic classes.

That didn't stop them. Days after Dan Kliman's death they stood up against jihadis at the annual AIPAC dinner who chanted "Zionists watch your back or we will throw you in the shaft"

Utilizing a variety of actions that went beyond the traditional "counterprotest",

SFV4I activists participated in random acts of urban beautification,

 brought lunch to a Code Pink organized hunger strike,

and according to rumor, were involved with Oakland Women in Black, which held a silent vigil at the Berkeley Sabeel conference

Yet they still had time to participate in vibrant and colorful celebrations of Jewish life, including the traditional Lag B'Omer bonfire.

This isn't a eulogy. Not yet. They'll be back, if needed.

Buycott Target to counter anti-Israel extremists

From our friends at San Francisco Voice for Israel, the Bay Area's direct action Israel advocacy group:

ACTION ALERT: BUY-COTT EVENT TO COUNTER ANTI-ISRAEL EXTREMISTS NEXT SUNDAY DECEMBER 1

On Sunday December 1 from 3-4 PM, anti-Israel extremists from a group called QUIT (Queers Undermining Israeli Terror—yes, an LGBT group that tirelessly advocates the destruction of the only society in the Middle east where they themselves wouldn’t get shot or hanged!) will be holding a protest at the Target store in San Francisco located at the Metreon (789 Mission St). The specific object of their rage that day will be the highly successful Israeli company Sodastream, because it dares to have a factory across the Green Line in which it employs Palestinian Arabs at Israeli wages and with Israeli-level benefits.
 

If you haven’t already seen it, there’s a wonderful 8 minute video that shows how the company actually helps bring Jewish and Arab workers together, and even sets aside a room and time for the Arab workers to pray; you can see it here:



Coexistence with the Jewish state, of course, is what fanatical groups such as QUIT hate the most.

Now groups like this claim that their protest is solely because Sodastream has a factory across the Green Line. But their goal is not a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians that will turn that territory into a Palestinian state, because they resolutely oppose the existence of a state of the Jewish people within any borders whatsoever. Their efforts are made not in the name of peace, but in support of the 65+ year jihad against the Jewish state.

The best strategy against this type of hatred isn’t going onto the streets to confront them; it’s to enrage them by making a special effort to buy THIS product from THIS store at THIS time. Nothing will ensure that Target will continue to carry Sodastream products better than a record day of sales!

So if you were thinking about buying a Sodastream device, go to the Target on Mission Street this Sunday and buy one. If, like me, you already have one, then at least buy a bottle or two of the soda mixes; and maybe even buy a Sodastream for a Chanukah gift for friends or family. You can even organize a group from your synagogue to make a mass purchase. And whatever you buy, make sure that you walk by the protestors and hold up your purchases—so they can see how they actually caused MORE sales of Sodastream products that day!

Many of you may prefer to shop at smaller locally owned stores rather than large chains such as Target. In that case, we’re happy to suggest that you buy Sodastream products at Cliff’s Variety at 479 Castro Street (between 17th and 18th), a locally owned business that has also been targeted by the same hate group.

UPDATE

Target Fights back and delivers a happy smiling "F**k You" to the BDS Cru. The front page of their flyer features Sodastream among the  "Best gifts ever".  Smooth move and right on Target

Israel/Palestine: One state or two?

On March 17th Vonvo hosted a discussion between Moe Diab, a Palestinian American and Michael Harris, one of the founders of San Francisco Voice for Israel. The two speakers discussed their opinions on the advantages and disadvantages of a one or two state solution in Israel/Palestine.

Check it out here:

Buy Israel Goods week starts today, Monday February 25!

From our friends at San Francisco Voice for Israel:

                                              Buy Israel Goods week starts Monday February 25!

Once again, it's time for a BIG week-- Buy Israeli Goods.

One of the most important things we can do to support Israel is not only to buy Israeli goods, but to buy them from merchants who have been the target of BDS bullies because they sell them.

As many of you have read in J Weekly  or seen on our Facebook page, two weeks ago we quietly organized a group of shoppers to support Cliff's Variety, a small family-owned store in the Castro district of San Francisco that has specifically been targeted by the BDS hate crew for defying their orders and continuing to sell Sodastream devices and mixes. Watch this short clip  to see how SodaStream promotes coexistence, and meet some of the Arab employees whose jobs the BDSers want to take away.

The staff at Cliff's was delighted to see several dozen shoppers (carrying Buy Israeli Goods shopping bags) coming in to buy from them to thank them for standing up to BDS intimidation. And once again, a positive, friendly BUYcott overcame a negative, hate-filled BOYcott effort.

Especially for San Francisco residents, those who wish to buy a Sodastream device (or need to stock up on the mixes) will get a very friendly welcome at Cliff's Variety (479 Castro St between 17th and 18th).

Another small, locally owned store repeatedly targeted by hate groups is Zand Market at 1401 Solano Avenue in Albany. They not only carry imported goods but also their own Mediterranean and Middle Eastern foods.

A partial listing of stores that carry Israeli products is at BuyIsraelGoods.org (note that some of the information there may not be current).

San Francisco Voice for Israel/Stand With Us
www.SFVoiceForIsrael.org
www.StandWithUs. com

Join the SF Voice For Israel group on Facebook!
Follow us on Twitter @sfv4i
Visit our Youtube channel

San Francisco Voice for Israel Spokesperson Mike Harris on KGO Radio

On Nov 27, 2012 San Francisco Voice for Israel spokesperson Dr. Michael Harris was interviewed on the Ronn Owens show on KGO radio 810 AM talking about Gaza, Israel and Operation Pillar of Defense.  San Francisco Voice for Israel is the Bay Area chapter of StandWithUs.

 

How dare the Jews Fight Back: the San Francisco Story

The Bay area has long been considered a hub of anti-Israel activity., though there's plenty of indication that the situation is turning around.  The supporters of Israel are mobilizing and organizing.  The Jewish community is excited about  a local mission to Israel, and the stores are filled with products from Israel,  in spite of the  11 year old BDS movement

A local rabbi sent out this notice to his congregants, reminding us again, that we are all family, and that all of Israel is responsible for each other. (I've made slight changes to protect the privacy of those involved)

Our connection to Israel is deep and profound. It is a connection that has many layers. At times like this however one connection resonates most in our hearts: Israel is home, Israel is our family.

Every Shabbat  we pray for the well-being of our brothers and sisters in Israel as well as for the safety of Israel's Defense Forces. This week and this Shabbat our prayers are particularly rooted in the hope that the Holy One will bless our family in Israel with security and with peace.

In addition, this week and this Shabbat, we also wish to convey a message of love and support to the Israeli members of our family and to all members who have parents, siblings and children living in Israel, as many of us do. It is especially difficult to be away from home during this time. Our  family is here for you. We hope and pray that being in community will bring some comfort and a deeper sense of home.

 Indeed, our family is asking for our prayers and our support. Let the powerful words of our prayer book ring loud and clear:

אחינו כל בית ישראל הנתונים בצרה ובשביה העומדים בין בים ובין ביבשה, המקום ירחם עליהם ויוציאם מצרה לרוחה ומשעבוד לגאולה השתא בעגלא ובזמן קריב

 As for our brothers of the whole house of Israel who are in distress or captivity, on sea or land, may the All-Present have compassion on them and lead them from distress to relief, from darkness to light, and from oppression to freedom, now, swiftly and soon – and let us say: Amen

On the streets,  it's the same story.  Two days of protest at the San Francisco Israeli Consulate on Montgomery Street were met with two days of counter protests in solidarity with Israel. And while the anti-Israel side expressed their intransigent rejection of peaceful co-existence with chants of  "Intifada", and  from the "River to the Sea", the pro-Israel side sangs songs of peace 

Although largely peaceful,  the demonstrations were marred by some violence. On the first night,  anti-Israel thugs, many with their faces cowardly covered in dime store masks or with made in China Kaffiyahs, tried to crash through police barricades, chanting "Zionist Scum your time has come". Yesterday, a woman was arrested for assaulting a peaceful pro-Israel demonstrator, in what may have very well been a hate crime.

Why is it likely this brutal assault was motivated by hate?  Perhaps it was Lena's own word  "Fuck you, Jew"

.


In a demonstration sponsored  and promoted by "Jewish" Voice for peace , this display of pure anti-Semitism was simply ignored.

What can you do to help our friends and our family in Israel?

Stay informed and be an advocate for Israel 

Arm yourself with accurate information and spread it through your personal and social media websites. 

You can find helpful facts about Operation Pillar of Defense and up-to-date information on the crisis in Israel on our local Israeli Consulates website 

Social media is your friend.  Need help using the new media? Drop me an email and I'll walk you through it.

Donate to Federations Israel Terror Relief Fund  (or to your favorite  solidarity group) to provide immediate services to those impacted by the rocket attacks. 

Write letters to the editor, and op eds to your local paper. Demand that Israel's side of the story be heard.

And continue please to pray for the safety of our people, and our homeland in Israel.

"Zionist Scum Your Time has Come"

Again: from our friends at StandWithUs/San Francisco Voice for Israel

Earlier tonight several dozen Israel supporters stood outside the Israeli Consulate Building on Montgomery Street while a group of Hamas-supporting Israel haters chanted "Zionist scum, your time has come".  

That's what the "progressive" Bay Area has to offer-- hate speech in support of an Islamist regime that itself hates women, gays, Christians, but above all Jews.  

They're going to be out there again Friday, in front of the Consulate building at 456 Montgomery in San Francisco.  Let's show them that our community stands with Israel against Hamas and against its supporters here.  We're going to stand proudly in support of Israel's right to defend its people-- ALL of them, Jewish, Christian and Moslem-- against the hate that fuels not only the Hamas rockets but also the disgusting rhetoric of the other side.  

Nov. 16 Friday, 4-5 PM

456 Montgomery Street, San Francisco

We will have flags and signs, feel free to bring your own as well. 

Please do not bring signs or graphics offensive to
any racial or ethnic group including but not limited
to Arabs, Islam, or Palestinians. Signs in violation
of our policies will not be allowed.

This is the chance for our community to stand together in support of
Israel and its right to defend its citizens from rocket attacks.
Because this is a highly newsworthy event, we anticipate that there
will be TV and other media there. Let's show the haters that the
pro-Israel community in the Bay Area stands proudly with Israel.