Article in The Times of Israel

Another Tumultuous Week

Jeremy Corbyn's narrow defeat is an earthquake.If, as the saying goes, Jews are 'the canary in the coal mine,' Britain is infor a rough ride over the next four years. Theresa May has been a staunchdefender of common sense values – anti–terrorism, pro-freedom and democracy,and pro-Israel. Conversely, it was reported that Corbyn recently laid a wreathat a remembrance ceremony for one of the Palestinian terrorists from the 1972Munich massacre – despicable! The clash of values cannot be starker and setsthe UK on a collision course with itself. 

The shifting sand in the UK was somewhatovershadowed by the James Comey bombshell testimony to the US IntelligenceCommittee this week, and even Saudi Arabia-et al's blockade of Qatar over itssupport of terrorism – even while the Saudis are often accused of the verysame. All this international intrigue unfortunately camouflaged Nikki Haley'simportant visit to Israel this week. The outspoken US Ambassador to the UnitedNations made a point of giving prayer at the Western Wall and visiting Israel'ssouthern region – most affected by Hamas rockets and tunnel incursions. Principledin action, Haley matter of factly advised that the US was consideringwithdrawing from the UN Human Rights Council for its bias against Israel andcalled the UN a global bully.

Here at home, we fought hard against the bulliesof antisemitism. Fighting off the Niagara Centre NDP Riding Association thatasked the Ontario NDP to support the antisemitic boycott, divestment andsanction campaign against Israel, the Niagara Regional Council overwhelminglyvoted to condemn it by a margin of 12-2. Fort Erie Councillor SandyAnnunziata, who brought the motion forward said, "Even though I am not the one who should be making the apology andbegging for the forgiveness of the Jewish community, I feel compelled to askfor forgiveness for residents who have shared their remorse that something likethis should be festering and lurking in Niagara." 

And in an unbelievable revelation this week, itcame to light that the anti-Israel propaganda machine had infiltrated massiveand prominent North American retail chains. Sears USA, Walmart Internationaland even Kmart were selling violence, promoting defamatory and misleadinganti-Israel T-shirts with numerous designs. The same shirts were also found oneBay and Amazon. Slanderous statements adorned them – meticulously designed –some with fists raised (promoting violence); others with the slogan "FreePalestine" overlaying a full map of Israel (an apparent call for thereplacement of the Jewish state with a Palestinian one); while others accusedIsrael of "apartheid" (which it is not) and still others had theslogan, "Free Gaza" (Gaza is free).

I am proud of the online social activists whoparticipated in having Sears USA, Walmart International and Kmart remove theseitems within twelve hours. Letters were sent, petitions were signed, telephonecalls were made and social networking sites were inflamed by this shanda. I amconfident that Amazon and eBay will follow their lead shortly. For its part,Sears Canada distanced itself from the lack of judgment exhibited by theAmerican retailers and promised that the Canadian company would never sell theitems.

The infiltration of hateful and antisemiticPalestinian propaganda merchandise into traditional retailers requiresanalysis. It is a strategic investment of capital resources in an attempt tonormalize the campaign to destroy the Jewish state. Who can forget the culturalnormalization of the anti-apartheid movement against South Africa? Clothing,music, books and exhibits were widely available in a wonderful effort to bringdown the racist nation – where white supremacy was at its core. Israel is notSouth Africa by any stretch of the imagination. Its freedom and democracy forall people regardless of race, faith and ethnicity is celebrated.

Complete with models wearing their hatefulshirts and a sophisticated product ordering process, the Palestinianpropagandists are taking a page from the anti-apartheid campaign that broughtdown South Africa. Target marketing to youth, they want their merchandise to beas readily available as any other brand with a connotation of "cool."The more ingrained and normalized their messaging, the more acceptable willtheir destructive ambition be to the masses. 

There is nothing cool, however, in wearingshirts and products that promote the destruction of the only free and democraticstate in the Middle East. Instead of calling for peace, an end to terror andhateful incitement on the Palestinian side, propagandists are investing timeand resources in promoting violence. While these were major victories for thepro-Israel camp this week and those who believe in freedom and democracy, thesame activists are continuing their campaign by placing ads on these very samesites.

Unfortunately for them, as their truthfulintentions come out, our resolve is only getting stronger.