Facebook share Share on TwitterRSS feed

Innovative Minds © 2014. All Rights Reserved. www.inminds.co.uk

[Boycott - Economic - Europe]

Comment:

This is not the first time that our enemies are using our research on companies that support Israel, in order to encourage other zionists to support those companies and thereby Israel.

We thought we would include this article because in a way its a vindication of our research, that even our enemies have come to rely on it. Hopefully it will encourage our friends in the pro-justice camp, be they Muslims or non-Muslims, to make use of our research in the fight for justice.

Remember the saying of Imam Ali (AS): "That knowledge which remains only on your tongue is very superficial. The intrinsic value of knowledge is that you act upon it" - Boycott Israel Now!

My week of buying only Israeli goods


Alex Kasriel, Jewish Chronicle
6 July 2007

The groups calling for the boycott — spearheaded by online Islamic software house Innovative Minds — have linked hundreds of brands to Israel, which means I have more products at my disposal than I thought. They say: “We have carried out extensive research to identify the guilty companies.” This makes my job easier, as they have pinpointed exactly the companies I need to embrace.

Boycotts? Not the JC’s style. Instead, we set our reporter a challenge: could she live for seven days using only Israeli goods and services?

I am sitting at my laptop, sipping some refreshing herbal tea and picking from a bunch of seedless grapes. My mobile phone rings, and someone leaves a voicemail message. So why should you care? Because the above products and services either come from Israel, or rely on Israeli technology. And I am staging a one-woman fight against the current mania for boycotts.

Trades union Unison recently passed a motion to boycott Israeli goods until the country withdraws to its 1967 borders. It also proposed that the UK ends trade agreements with Israel. Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre chief executive Lorna Fitzsimons argued: “The whole thrust of rebuilding Israel and a new state of Palestine is about economic engagement, economic reconstruction. The area needs investment…”

If she is right, we should all be embracing Israeli produce. So, in a symbolic act of defiance, I have pledged to use only goods produced by the companies the boycotters would have us avoid.

Hence, my MacBook runs on an Intel processor, and Intel makes chips in Israel; my green tea with mint is produced in Tel Aviv by Wissotzky; and my Nokia mobile phone uses Israeli technology developed by Motorola. Nokia is also a supporter of Israel and is reportedly setting up a research centre there. So far, so supportive — and I have not even embarked on my mission yet.

Day one

It quickly emerges that this task is not going to be too difficult. The groups calling for the boycott — spearheaded by online Islamic software house Innovative Minds — have linked hundreds of brands to Israel, which means I have more products at my disposal than I thought. They say: “We have carried out extensive research to identify the guilty companies.” This makes my job easier, as they have pinpointed exactly the companies I need to embrace.

Most famously, the boycotters have been getting their knickers in a twist about British ready-meal and underwear giant Marks & Spencer. The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has issued a leaflet containing details of the chain’s connection to the “Israeli regime”.

Luckily, my drawers are full of M&S knickers believed by IHRC to be supplied by Israeli manufacturers. As most self-respecting women buy their underwear from the store, these boycotters are really missing out.

At M&S in Camden, North London, I look for other things to buy. As I start inspecting the labels, a store assistant approaches me and says: “You look as if you’re looking for something.” “Yes”, I reply, “I’m trying to find anything from Israel.”

He looks at me quizzically before pointing in the direction of the herbs, all grown in sunny Israel. I also find some organic Medjool dates, fresh figs and white grapes. In need of some more fruit and veg, I head for a stall in nearby Kentish Town and pick up sweet potatoes from Eretz, two Jaffa grapefruits and an Israeli parsnip.

I go home to make roast sweet potatoes with rosemary, followed by dates and figs for pudding — one of my stranger meals. Although quite tasty, I go to bed with a bit of a tummy ache. The sacrifices one makes by taking a political stance.

Day two

Realising I will not be able to source enough fresh produce from Israel, I head for the UK’s Israeli heartland — Golders Green — for some kosher packet food. At the Yarden store, on Golders Green Road, I fill my basket with Carmit fruit toffee chews made in Rishon LeZion, dips and paté from Yarden, coffee and chocolate from Elite, Telma chicken stock, Strauss cream cheese made in Nahariya, crisps by Bamba and red wine from the Galilee.

I have never had such a good excuse to be this unhealthy, or to blow the budget on so many treats.

Back at home, I make a dish of Tival veggie sausages with mashed potatoes (from you-know-where). Not able to smother the dish in the unIsraeli Heinz Tomato ketchup, the boyfriend suggests we use KP’s HP Sauce. Having worked on Kibbutz Lotan, he knew the Arava Valley farm supplies figs to KP for the fruity condiment. In fact, KP is owned by Danone — another company on the hit list.

Danone owns shares in both Elite and Strauss food companies and has a research and development institute in Tel-Mond in Israel. The Innovative Minds website (inminds.co.uk) says: “In 1998, Mr Franck Riboud, on behalf of Danone, received the Jubilee Award by the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. This is the highest tribute ever awarded by the State of Israel in recognition of those individuals and organisations which, through their investments and trade relationships, have done the most to strengthen the Israeli economy.”

The sauce is tasty, too.

Day three

A friend asks me to join her for a workout at the gym. I decline, telling her I would rather go and practise the self-defence technique Krav Maga, developed by the Israeli army and now a favourite fitness system of stars such as Angelina Jolie and Cameron Diaz. It clearly works for them.

I attempt to pick up my sluggish energy levels with a cup of coffee, but the Turkish stuff made by Elite is not my, er, cup of tea. I’m missing my coffee-chain fix. After checking on the boycott website, I am relieved to find Starbucks on the list. Apparently, chairman Howard Shultz is an active Zionist.

Inminds says: “In 1998 he was honoured by the Jerusalem Fund of Aish HaTorah with the Israel 50th Anniversary Friend of Zion Tribute Award for his services to the Zionist state for playing a key role in promoting close alliance between the US and Israel.”

But a Starbucks spokesperson denies any political stance, saying: “Our primary focus is delivering the best customer experience. Starbucks is a non-political organisation and does not support individual political causes, including Israel.”

Proudly striding into my nearest store, I am confused by the dizzying variety of iced coffees on offer. The man behind the counter gives me an Espresso Light Frappuccino for free, saying I can pay next time if I like it. And I didn’t even tell him I was giving them a mention in the JC. Starbucks is my new favourite coffee chain.

Day four

I sign up for an AOL email account. The internet company is owned by US media giant AOL Time Warner which, along with Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, invests heavily in Israel.

After heading directly to the newsagent for my copy of Murdoch’s Times, I join my mother and sister on a shopping trip to buy dresses for upcoming weddings. I take mum to the Israeli designer Ronit Zilkha’s shop, where she picks up an elegant frock complete with bolero jacket.

Then we head for DKNY, where my sister buys a fashionable silky dress and belt, and I can’t help splashing out on a fabulous gold necklace. The label is owned by Estée Lauder, whose chairman, Ronald Lauder, is the current president of the Jewish National Fund (JNF). Bingo.

According to Inminds, the organisation is “a quasi-governmental agency whose main function is to legitimise Israeli occupation of Palestinian land”.

His company makes nice tchotckes, though.

Day five

To fashionable Covent Garden for a spa treatment at the new Ahava store. Ahava is the only beauty range licensed to dig mud and minerals from the Dead Sea — and they have opened a salon here in Central London. You cannot connect with the land much more than by slapping it over your body and face. The therapist uses a variety of cleansers, toners and moisturisers from Dead Sea sources before applying a deep detoxifying mud mask. I am now feeling completely cleansed of any possible anti-Israel feelings. As well as deeply relaxed, I also feel a sense of pride that the product range sold in tourist shops all over Israel now has its own posh spa in the centre of London. What naches!

On arriving home, I discover by reading Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz’s online edition that Apple’s new mobile phone, the iPhone, due in stores in December, is likely to carry technology developed by Israeli company Ceva. I log on to eBay (which bought Israeli online comparison site Shopping.com! Woo!) and find that the average price for a “God machine”, as they are known, is $750 — beyond my price range, unfortunately.

Day six

Today I make a pilgrimage. Not to the holy city of Jerusalem, but to a footballing Mecca, Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in North London. Innovative Minds and the Islamic Human Rights Commission are calling on campaigners to contact Arsenal Football Club and protest against its decision to promote Israel as a tourist destination. But seeing as the football club is sponsored by Emirates airline, it seems a fair trade-off. As I am not a fan of footie or its associated paraphernalia, I buy the cheapest thing I can find at the club shop — a 3D Gunners badge for £2.50 and give it to the boyfriend, a big fan.

I am much happier to purchase a KitKat on the way home. Nestlé, which makes the bars, owns 50.1 per cent of Israeli snack king Osem and is planning to set up a global R&D centre for snack foods in Sderot — which is why the company is being boycotted. “Nestlé’s investment decisions are made purely on the basis of commercial and industrial viability. Political considerations have no influence whatever on such decisions,” says a company spokesman.

Day seven

The boyfriend comes over with a bunch of flowers — an unexpected pleasure. I enquire about their origins, indicating that I could only accept the lilies if they were among the many cut flowers grown and exported from Israel. He mutters something about checking with the flower shop in Crouch End where he bought them, and that they were indeed Israeli. I am not sure I believe him. Still, I hear Israel is one of the world’s leading diamond centres, so if he wants to get me a blinging dazzler instead, I would be only too happy to accept it. To do my bit, you understand.

Source: http://www.thejc.com/home.aspx?ParentId=m14s44&SecId=44&AId=53747&ATypeId=1


Related Articles


Also Of Interest

Page URL: http://inminds.com/article.php?id=10163
Support Us
If you agree with our work then please support us.

Give one time donation:

Setup monthly donation:
INMINDS Facebook Live Feed
Latest Video's
Latest News..
[all-by date]
[all-by category]
[all-by modify date]
INMINDS Twitter Feed
Boycott Israel Campaign
Featured Video's
You need Flash player 8+ and JavaScript enabled to view this video.
Why boycott Israel on Campus[1:50:05]
12 London universities discuss need for BDS on campuses. Speakers include Rafeef Ziadeh, Ilan Pappe, Karma Nabulsi & Mike Cushman
Love Letters to Gaza[31:08]
A unique theatrical event using personal messages of love, support and hope from people of all ages and all walks of life to the people of Gaza.
John Pilger[7:55]
journalist and documentary maker
Antiwar Mass Assembly 8 Oct 2011
Julian Assange[7:07]
founder of WikiLeaks
Antiwar Mass Assembly 8 Oct 2011
Lauren Booth, Sami Ramadani & Yvonne Ridley[6:28]
Reading the names of the dead
Antiwar Mass Assembly 8 Oct 2011
George Galloway[6:39]
Antiwar Mass Assembly 8 Oct 2011
Jemima Khan[8:42]
Antiwar Mass Assembly 8 Oct 2011
Why Boycott Marks & Spencer 2011?[23:29]
Demo outside M&S Oxford Street(24 Sept 2011)
Sean Clinton[4:59]
Israeli Blood Diamonds Campaign
Al Quds Day rally, Trafalgar Square (31 Aug 2011)
Lauren Booth[5:24]
Al Quds Day rally, Trafalgar Square (31 Aug 2011)
Lauren Booth - Prayer for Gaza[2:46]
Al Quds Day rally, Trafalgar Square (31 Aug 2011)
Benny Morris - Historian or Racist?[34:07]
Activists oppose visit of racist Israeli historian Benny Morris who justifies ethnic cleansing and genocide.
Is Israel applying apartheid?[2:12:56]
Speakers: Yael Kahn, Jody McIntyre and Ghada Karmi (5 May 2011)
Karen Mitchell[48:27]
Partner at Thompsons Solicitors
Life changing visit to Palestine in 2008 (21 Feb 2011)
Ramzy Baroud[1:59:32]
Editor-in-chief of the Palestine Chronicle
"My Father Was A Freedom Fighter - Gaza's Untold Story" (25 Mar 2011)
Women United in the Intifada[2:31:36]
Speakers: Lizzie Cocker, Ewa Jasiewcz, Alaa Kassim, Yvonney Ridley, Isis Amlak, Sukant Chandan, Ramzy Baroud (14 Mar 2011)
George Galloway[1:01:48]
Solidarity with the Middle-East Revolution, support the people - oppose US/UK intervention (SOAS, 11 Mar 2011)
Omar Barghouti[55:08]
BDS Movement co-founder
"Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions" book launch (7 Mar 2011)
Shir Hever[1:49:09]
Alternative Information Centre
The Political Economy of Israel's Occupation, Kings College London (17 Feb 2011)
Why academic boycott of Israel[1:29:37]
Speakers: Mohammed Abuabdou(PSCABI), Mike Cushman(BRICUP), Jodey McIntyre(activist) (8 Feb 2011)
Dashed Hopes - Gaza Blockade[1:23:08]
Mohammed-Ali Abu Najela (Oxfam), Andrea Becker (MAP), Ewa Jasiewicz (Free Gaza Movement) (1 Feb 2011)
Jordan Valley: Apartheid[1:17:12]
Sarah Cobham(Brighton Jordan Valley Solidarity), Chris Osmond (Corporate Watch) (House of Commons, 1 Feb 2011)
Dump Veolia Demo[7:00]
Protesting at settlement supporter Veolia's sponsership of exhibit at the Natural History Museum (23 Oct 2010)
Boycott Israeli Dates [1/2][9:11]
Are you financing Israels brutal occupation this Ramadan?
Boycott Israeli Dates [2/2][9:05]
Are you financing Israels brutal occupation this Ramadan?
Lee Jasper [1/2][10:13]
[4 of 8] Genocide Memorial Day 2010 Session One, 17-1-2010
Lee Jasper [2/2][9:51]
[5 of 8] Genocide Memorial Day 2010 Session One, 17-1-2010
One Oppressor One Bullet[8:11]
Imam Achmad Cassiem, veteran of the armed struggle against apartheid in South Africa, speaks at the StW rally (London, 19 Feb 2005)
Salwa Alenat [1/2][9:56]
KavLaOved (Workers Rights hotline)
[1 of 8] Israel's Occupation - Abuse of Palestinian Workers (LSE 19 Nov 2009)
Salwa Alenat [2/2][8:57]
KavLaOved (Workers Rights hotline)
[2 of 8] Israel's Occupation - Abuse of Palestinian Workers (LSE 19 Nov 2009)
For Anwar [1of2][10:01]
Carmel Agrexco Valentines Action 7 Feb 2009
For Anwar [2of2][9:56]
Carmel Agrexco Valentines Action 7 Feb 2009
big
[all videos (over 200)..]
Featured MP3 Podcast

"The occupation can only end when pressure is applied from outside. Who is going to apply this pressure? The United States is not going to apply the pressure because Israel is its rotwiller, Israel is its local enforcement - a junior partner in the Middle-East, it is a special relationship - Israel is the US rotwiller. The British government is not going to stop it because the British government is the poodle of the United States, this is another special relationship. So who is going to apply it? We are going to apply the pressure. Civil society, ordinary people apply pressure by applying boycott - by boycotting Israeli goods, and exports, by boycotting tourism to Israel, by boycotting academic institutions which are part of the machinery of oppression and torture.."
Israeli socialist dissident, Professor at Kings College London
Enough Occupation Rally, June 2007 [3min / 2Mb]
[need flash]

[all podcasts..]
Newsletter
To subscribe
enter your email:

COPY VERIFICATION CODEcopy this code —>
Feedback
If you wish to comment on this page:

(all fields optional)



COPY VERIFICATION CODEcopy this code —>
The opinions expressed on this site, unless otherwise stated, are those of the authors.
All logos & trademarks are the property of their respective owners and their use is covered under 'fair use' policy.
Copyright © 1998-2012 Innovative Minds www.inminds.com All Rights Reserved.
The opinions expressed on this site, unless otherwise stated, are those of the authors.
All logos & trademarks are the property of their respective owners and their use is covered under 'fair use' policy.
Copyright © 1998-2012 Innovative Minds www.inminds.com All Rights Reserved.