Help Us Stop Boycotts Against Israel (BDS Movement): Olympia Boycott of Israeli products - this ridiculous idea gets knocked on it's tush by Port Townsend!

Last summer, Olympia, Washington was horrified when a group of BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) activists descended on their local Food Co-Op. Before you could say "grassroots process denied" they performed a major coup on the organization and passed a boycott against Israeli products - without involving the Co-Op membership.

Needless to say, this has created great division in Olympia and ticked off a lot of Co-Op members, who happen to believe in the democratic process. What a novel idea...

I wonder how the Olympia Food Co-Op is doing financially now - what I am hearing is that a lot of people are refusing to shop there. Is this what the BDS movement calls "a working tactic?"

Make no mistake about it, the BDS movement is Palestinian-led and bred and it serves no positive purpose in resolving the conflict in the Middle East. If you want to make a difference, join the following organizations and their positive messages of change:

Stand With Us Northwest
StandWithUs is an international education organization that ensures that Israel's side of the story is told in communities, campuses, libraries, the media and churches through brochures, speakers, conferences, missions to Israel, and thousands of pages of Internet resources

http://www.standwithus.com/bds

J Street is the political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans.
The organization gives political voice to mainstream American Jews and other supporters of Israel who, informed by their progressive and Jewish values, believe that a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is essential to Israel’s survival as the national home of the Jewish people and as a vibrant democracy. J Street’s mission is two-fold: first, to advocate for urgent American diplomatic leadership to achieve a two-state solution and a broader regional, comprehensive peace and, second, to ensure a broad debate on Israel and the Middle East in national politics and the American Jewish community.

http://jstreet.org/

New Israel Fund

AN ALTERNATIVE: Instead of boycotts, which divide people and ascribe blame to one side or the other, you can support peace between Israelis and Palestinians by supporting organizations such as the NEW ISRAEL FUND, which sponsors projects of collaboration and cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians.

I Have Never Forgotten You

I Have Never Forgotten You is a comprehensive look at the life and legacy of Simon Wiesenthal, the famed Nazi hunter and humanitarian. Narrated by Academy-Award®-winner Nicole Kidman, it features interviews with longtime Wiesenthal associates, government leaders from around the world, and friends and family members -many of whom have never discussed the legendary Nazi hunter and humanitarian on camera. What was the driving force behind his work? What kept him going when for years the odds were against his efforts? What is his legacy today, more than 60 years after the end of World War II?

Food Co-Op Policies Against the Boycott

The following policies direct the Port Townsend Food Co-Op to:

POLICY B8: EXECUTIVE LIMITATIONS

CUSTOMER SERVICE AND VALUE

B8.8 Ensure that the store not be utilized for political purposes; therefore, s/he shall not fail to:

B8.8.1 Ensure that signs, banners, newsletters and other materials endorsing or urging opposition to any (a) candidate(s) for public office, (b) referenda, propositions, resolutions or any other items on a public ballot, or (c) community matters not directly related to organic, natural and healthy foods, are not created by the Co-op nor displayed within the Co-op premises except that, with respect to item (c), petition gathering may be permitted at the store entrances so long as ingress and egress are not impeded.

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Olympia Boycott of Israeli products - this ridiculous idea gets knocked on it's tush by Port Townsend!