2010 Sep 4: Media Release: EDINBURGH SHOPS SUPPORT ISRAEL BOYCOTT

Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign: Media Release

 

EDINBURGH SHOPS SUPPORT ISRAEL BOYCOTT –
“Dodgy dates” removed from shelves

A number of small shops in Edinburgh have offered their support to a boycott of Israeli produce. Storeowners near Edinburgh’s Central Mosque told campaigners yesterday that they either didn’t stock Israeli goods, or that they would cease to do so.

 

Mosque worshippers joined activists from the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) in a tour of local shops to inform customers and owners of their concerns over the sale of Israeli and illegal settlement dates. This follows similar actions in Glasgow recently, where around 30 shopkeepers in predominantly Muslim areas are displaying posters declaring “No Israeli Produce sold here”.

 

Khalid Bashir, owner of the Red Sea Food Store in Nicholson Square said that many of his customers are concerned about Israeli produce: “People ask about it all the time, but I am able to tell them I have been boycotting Israel for years. It should be easier now that I can display this poster.”

 

Most Muslims support a boycott of Israel, but many unwittingly break their fast during Ramadan with dates that originate from the illegal settlements in Occupied Palestine.

 

Kam Chaudry, who uses the Central Mosque, and joined yesterday’s tour said that he had been fooled in the past: “I used to buy Jordan River dates thinking I was supporting Palestinian farmers. I was quite upset when I found out that these and other West Bank dates actually come from the illegal settlements.”

 

Around 40 campaigners joined the tour, waving Palestinian flags and “boycott Israel” placards. Mick Napier, SPSC chair said, “All the shops we visited today backed the boycott, removed any dodgy dates from their shelves, and are now displaying posters to that effect. The support we received from customers and passers-by was overwhelming.

 

“The reality is that Israel makes it impossible for Palestinian farmers to export almost anything. Palestinians were kicked off their land to make way for the illegal settlements, but the good news is that the boycott is kicking back. It’s great to see small shops in Scotland standing up for human rights.”

 

SPSC branches in Fife, Aberdeen and Dundee were due to launch their campaigns today, while groups in Glasgow were expected to focus on the city’s West End.

 

 

ENDS

 

 

Notes for editors:

 

The poster displayed by the shops visited can be found here.
A short video can be watched here.

 

1. The Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign started in autumn 2000 in response to the Palestinian second uprising against Israeli occupation (Intifada). The SPSC has branches and supporters throughout Scotland and elsewhere.

 

For further information, contact:
SPSC Chair, Mick Napier: 0131 620 0052; 07958002591

Email: media@scottishpsc.org.uk
Website: www.scottishpsc.org.uk 

 

 

2. The activity took place between 1pm and 3pm on Friday 3rd September 2010.

Edinburgh branch was leafleting outside the Central Mosque in Potterrow  (map here: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=edinburgh+central+mosque+map&wrapid=tlif12833445884772&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=Central+Mosque+%26+Islamic+Centre,+50+Potterrow,+Edinburgh+EH8+9BT&gl=uk&ei=zUh-TLi5GZuM4gaFkd2UBg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBoQ8gEwAA

The group was joined by worshippers before visiting local shops to raise awareness with customers and shop-owners.

 

 

3. All 5 of the stores visited are now displaying a poster declaring: “This shop supports the Palestinians; No Israeli produce sold here”.

Campaigners intend to visit more shops in a repeat of the activity next Friday.

 

 

4. Glasgow, Aberdeen, Fife, and Dundee SPSC branches will be doing similar actions on Sat 4^th Sep in their local areas.

For details of protests throughout Scotland, contact:

 

 

5. Edinburgh’s Radio Ramadan hosted a live discussion of Palestine on Wednesday, which included a call from the station to join the Friday protest and to boycott what they referred to as “blood dates”, and other Israeli produce.

 

 

6. Details of illegal settlement dates brands:

 

 

7. Report of successful Glasgow campaign:

Sunday Herald, Aug 29 2010:

Muslim shops ban Israeli produce in Palestine protest