RT NEWS
August 18, 2014
A central London branch of a major UK supermarket emptied its kosher food shelf after its manager feared anti-Israeli protesters outside would attack the store, the grocery giant has confirmed. Meats, cheeses and sauces were removed and placed into cool storage at a Sainsbury’s Local branch in Holborn as it was picketed by demonstrators calling on the grocer to boycott Israeli goods.
There followed uproar on social media as opponents of the move said many of the removed items were not actually from Israel. They also pointed out the distinction between Israeli exports and kosher dietary goods. Despite the Sainsbury family’s Jewish ancestry, the supermarket was accused of anti-Semitism for its actions. Sainsbury’s insisted the decision was taken to protect the food from damage. However, one opponent made a formal complaint against the grocer.
Gavin Platman wrote to Sainsbury’s: “I presume you are aware that kosher food is produced in countries other than Israel? You are therefore not making a political statement against Israel, but instead are targeting a group based on race – i.e. Jews. As a Jew I find this deeply offensive. Naturally I am against the death of innocent children in Gaza, so why are you persecuting me by denying me the right to buy kosher food? I presume you are also removing Halal food in protest against the Islamic State slaughtering Yazidis. Clearly not – therefore you have blurred the line between political statement and hate crime,” he wrote……
ArchitectGuy on Israel 