Recently, I have gotten many emails from members requesting and demanding MEC boycott products made in Israel because of that country's handling of the Palestinian issue. The occupied territories, restrictive social and economic policies, and the invasion of Lebanon and Gaza strip, according to these voices, mirror the worst policies of apartheid South Africa. Furthermore, to break Israel's "oppression", the World must boycott Israeli businesses as it had done with the Botha regime of South Africa. If MEC does not heed this request (and take the right moral position), they will boycott MEC stores (of which some have).
As a recent response to the above development, a number of members have emailed me demanding that MEC can not and shall not boycott Israel. According to this group, the conflict in the Middle East is complex and any effort to single out Israel would be both hypocritical in light of conflict in our other sourcing countries and shortsighted as a boycott does not address the real and fundamental security issues facing Israel. If MEC were to boycott Israeli suppliers, these members would "never shop" at our stores again.
Amidst the push and pull on MEC, by the committed sides on this issue, lies incredible suffering on those caught in this conflict. This is obvious. As the cycles of violence perpetrated by all groups continue to ebb, flow and escalate many more will suffer. This is deeply troublesome and is on the forefront of our mind.
MEC is a Co-op retailer with a mandate to get Canadians outdoor by selling them the right gear and giving them the relevant technical insight. MEC is neither a political activist group nor a human rights body. Nonetheless, we believe business can and should improve the human condition behind manufacturing. To this end, MEC takes a Canadian and international view of our global supply chain. Just as creed and country are not barriers to being an MEC member, we do not divide our supply chain along political lines. In short, we will not take sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Our human rights efforts are squarely focused on our supply chain—on working to improve the factory conditions and treatment of the workers that make MEC-brand products. As much as this is cowardice to some or a sell out to others, it is our conviction and our intent is to not veer from this belief.
READ THIS INCREDIBLE STORY…..AND GASP
In an interview with Member of the Knesset Dr. Arieh Eldad in the New
English Review…
Eldad:
I was instrumental in establishing the Israeli National Skin Bank,
which is the largest in the world. The National Skin Bank stores skin
for every day needs as well as for war time or mass casualty
situations. This skin bank is hosted at the Hadassah Ein Kerem
University hospital in Jerusalem where I was the chairman of plastic
surgery.
This is how I was asked to supply skin for an Arab woman from Gaza,
who was hospitalized in Soroka Hospital in Beersheba after her family
burned her. Usually, such atrocities happen among Arab families when
the women are suspected of having an affair. We supplied all the
needed Homografts for her treatment. She was successfully treated by
my friend and colleague Prof. Lior Rosenberg, and discharged to return
to Gaza.
She was invited for regular follow up visits to the outpatient clinic
in Beersheba. One day she was caught at a border crossing wearing a
suicide belt. She meant to explode herself in the outpatient clinic of
the hospital where they saved her life. It seems that her family
promised her that if she did that, they would forgive her.
This is only one example of the war between Jews and Muslims in the
Land of Israel. It is not a territorial conflict. This is a
civilizational conflict.
Dear Israeli Apartheid Week enthusiasts:
Greetings and congratulations on your ongoing fifth annual Israeli Apartheid Week, which I understand began at the University of Toronto in 2005 and has now spread to 40 universities around the world.
While I don’t agree with your mindlessly simplistic likening of Israel to apartheid South Africa in its treatment of the Palestinians — just as I would never describe the Palestinians as terrorists because that would be wrong and inhuman — I also believe in free speech.
That’s why I’m not calling for your event to be cancelled, or to have your posters depicting Israeli gunships swooping down on Palestinian children in Gaza taken down.
That said, since the Sword of Allah cuts both ways, so to speak, I will be urging my alma mater to accommodate the following on-campus events next year at this time.
—
Darfur Destruction Week: An examination of the slaughter in Sudan, where hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women and children have been forced from their homes, starved, tortured, raped and murdered in the world’s worst ongoing human rights disaster and old, familiar pastime — Muslims killing other Muslims.
—
Iranian Intelligence Week: An exploration of the comedic stylings of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who unforgettably told a Columbia University audience in 2007 that Iran has no gays or lesbians. To wit: “In Iran, we don’t have homosexuals, like in your country … I don’t know who has told you we have that.”
—
Syrian Bulldozer Week: A retrospective on the savage attack on the city of Hama by the late Syrian dictator Hafez al-Hassad, during which thousands of innocent civilians died while Syrian forces mercilessly crushed a revolt by the Muslim Brotherhood. Particular attention will be paid to the bulldozing of the rubble, apparently the Syrian idea of “urban renewal.”
—
Hamas Hitler Week: A study and discussion of the similarities between the philosophies of Hamas and Hitler, drawing on the Hamas Charter and Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf. A special seminar will be devoted to the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem’s support of Hitler and the Nazis during the Second World War.
—
Pakistani Honour Killing Week: Examining the … uh … intellectual basis behind “honour killings” in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, described by Amnesty International thusly: “Women in Pakistan live in fear. They face death by shooting, burning or killing with axes if they are deemed to have brought shame on the family … They are even murdered by their kin if they are raped, as they are thereby deemed to have brought shame on their family.”
—
Saudi Arabian Suicide Week: A study of the role played by Saudi Arabia in funding and exporting radical Islamist Wahhabi theology throughout the world, while many among its oil-rich ruling class would be the first to be beheaded for their decadent lifestyles, should Islamists ever seize power.
—
Anyway, those are just some of the events I’m working on for next year. And not to worry. I doubt any of them will steal your thunder. Heck, you can just blame them all on the Jews … oops … I mean “on Israel” anyway, eh?
Shalom,
Lorrie Goldstein
Well done MEC.
You have made the right decision. Regardless of your opinion on the Israeli – Palestinian conflict boycotting companies on the basis of national origin is the corporate equivalent to racial profiling. Just as a person is not guilty due to their ethnic or national origin neither is a company. By focusing on the members of your supply chain you are acting in the best interests of MEC and its membership and exhibiting not only ethical decision making but sound business decision making.
Well Done
Congratulations MEC,
Your decision is a breath of fresh air and a refreshing excursion beyond the stultifying confines of anti-Israel propaganda.I enjoy using MEC products because of their excellent quality and value, and it is comforting to know that you are looking out for the workers who produce them.
After sending you a note congratulating you on your principled stand, I noticed that the meeting has not yet taken place. Are you certain that the resolution copied below will be defeated?
Resolution:
Whereas many members have expressed concern over the position of
Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC) with regard to Israel and “partnering”
with Israeli companies,
And whereas a Feb. 7/2009 statement from Peace and Global Educators
(www.pagebc.ca ) said in part -
“According to communications from Harvey Chan, Director of Ethical
Sourcing, MEC ‘partners’ with factories in Israel. In PAGE’s view,
this is incompatible with MEC’s promotion of itself as an ethical
organization. MEC’s engagement with Israel is incompatible with its
professed concern for both human rights and the environment”,
And whereas South African leaders, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu
and former Cabinet Minister Ronnie Kasrils who recently spoke in
Vancouver, have not only compared South African apartheid with the
system of discrimination by Israel but have said Israel’s apartheid
system is worse,
Therefore be it resolved that we call on the MEC Board of Directors to
halt all dealings with Israeli companies and to reverse its position
on Israel.
I, too, applaud your even-handed and thoughtful response to this complex and difficult issue. The rhetoric on both sides can be passionate and inflammatory and your decision to continue to focus your human rights efforts on working to improve the factory conditions and treatment of the workers that make MEC-brand products is admirable. Thank you.
You know, today all over the world we remembered the 6 Millions Jews that were murdered by the Nazi regime. Yesterday the presidents of Iran stood in front of a UN conference and call for the destruction of Israel and deny the Holocaust. It’s so symbolic that at the same day some ignorant call Israel an apartheid state. The only democratic country in the region, almost the only state in this dark region in which women have full rights, gays don’t have to hide and can participate in the Love Parade, Muslims and Arabs can vote to the Parliament and protest in the streets of Tel-Aviv while Israeli soldiers are getting killed in Gaza. The Israeli Arab conflict is so complicated and so not one-dimensional that just ignoramus could call to boycott Israel. Jewish and Israeli have given the world some of its greatest achievements in science, culture and humaneness. What did the Muslim extremist gave the world? 9/11??!
I think you took the right choice boycotting will lead to other boycotting not to a better world.
As it should be MEC. Good decision. Your business is not politics.
And to those anti-Israel groups who shout down speakers at universities or force them to be cancelled because you don’t agree with what they have to say — you are a disgrace to the principal of free speech and hypocrites for turning a blind eye to the outrageous atrocities committed by muslim countries, examples of which have already been given above. You people don’t understand the principals that founded this country, don’t respect the principals that founded this country and you don’t even believe in human rights … you’re just anti-Israel. And no – I’m not a Jew.
If you want to boycott a country based on human rights abuses, look at China. I can’t imagine their factories are better than the Israeli ones. I suppose MEC is looking for a public relations nightmare, but the damage has already been done. Add me to the list of people who will never step into one of your stores again, no matter how the vote turns out.
I find it odd that these people are singling out Israel and want MEC to boycott Israel and not boycott China -a non-democratic, communist government with well documented human rights abuses. Why is Israel singled out – a free society and the only democracy in the middle east – the only country in the middle east where all citizens (about 5.5 million jews and 1.3 million arabs) have a free democratic vote. Furthermore, many Palestinians in the West Bank, which is run by the Palestinian Authority, both work in and do business with Israel and Israeli companies and both sides want this economic cooperation to increase. Rather than helping, these unwarranted calls for boycotts against Israel harm those in the Palestinian controlled areas. Are these same people asking the Palestinians themselves in the West Bank to boycott Israel like they want MEC to do??
It is an absurd one sided attack. There is no connection to Israel and apartheid. All citizens of Israel have the same vote and live under the same constitution. Those in the PA controlled West Bank and Hamas controlled Gaza are not citizens of Israel, do not want to be, and they have their own elections – electing Hamas and the PA as their representatives. It would only be if some citizens of Israel were not allowed to vote that one could make a connection to apartheid but that is not the case. These hateful calls for boycott do not further the peace process. I congratulate MEC on doing the right thing.
I urge Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC) of Vancouver not to boycott Israel in your Annual General Meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 30.
It seems to me that there is a small group of “activists” within your organization who have taken up this cause to display their own political views which have nothing to do with your business. These ideas are not based on sound research, knowledge, history or the fact that Israel, like Canada, is a democratic and free country striving to survive in a neighbourhood that is actively trying to destroy it through terrorism, propaganda and war. Canada is a major trading partner with Israel and we derive a great deal of benefit from this relationship.
Israel is also a country that is on the cutting edge of science, medical, energy conservation and environmental research – developments which have been widely used throughout the world to save on energy, improve the treatment of patients, and generally make the environment and this world a better place to live.
The group of “activists” involved ought to get back to the core business at MEC and not involve themselves in foreign affairs and the politics of the Middle East. We do not see Israel condemning and boycotting companies in other countries for political reasons even though Canadian and American companies, if we look hard enough at our own political positions on a range of issues and the fact that all of our infrastructure for businesses is on indigenous land, could easily be found culpable on many levels. The Jewish people have a 3700 year unbroken claim to the land of Israel.
I suggest that you stay on track and build your company rather than put on a display of prejudice and ignorance by using your company to attack another people and another country in a most unfair and biased manner.
Gary
Canada
Well done MEC. This is a very sound decision.
Congratulations on boycotting Israel. Will you also be boycotting Hamas as well or are you just against the Jews and not terrorists? Hamas is a terrorist organization in Canada although it is widely supported in our Universitiesand in Gaza and by MEC apparantly. I will never take one step into MEC again. I will not support your company in any way for your racist and anti-semetic views. You should hang your heads in shame – this is Canada not your political platform to decide who is wrong – perhaps when you have your discussions you can also show Hamas robbing the UN aid station in Gaza or perhaps get a close up of Hamas sending rockets into Israel. Slowly the Arab/Muslim archaic viewpoint is working through our society and pat yourself on the back for contribuing to racism right here in Vancouver.
Dear Mr. Southam,
We find your position troublesome, as the Globe and Mail reports the movement to have MEC reconsider its relationship with Israeli suppliers, ““It’s become very political, much to our consternation,” Mr. Southam said, adding the company follows international sanctions and boycotts set by the federal government.” We also note the offensive position from the MEC blog below.
The federal government didn’t boycott South African apartheid and more than Israeli apartheid. Archbishop Tutu has drawn the parallel, incidentally, supported by many South African and North American Jews. That is to say, with that dubious rationale, MEC wouldn’t have joined the international boycott of South African apartheid either.
Moreover, our government has sanctioned British MP George Galloway for bringing aid to Gaza, as well as sanctioning the entire suffering people of Gaza, supporting Israel’s war crimes under the Geneva Conventions committed against them, because in a free and fair election actively encouraged and supported by this very government, the people’s choice turned out not to be Canada’s or Israel’s choice.
Our organization, in fact, hosted the international MRI conference on Israel in Toronto in 2005, addressed by the International Patron of Sabeel, Archbishop Tutu. And so we gather that you are in fact supporting the government sanctions blessing the restrictions on food, water and basic necessities against the long-suffering people of Gaza, victims of Israel’s war crimes, while ignoring the Jerusalem based call for international Morally Responsible Investment (MRI) sanctions on some Israeli products and services.
MEC hypocrisy has made it “become very political” indeed.
Let us be frank: your blog statement thus amounts to the very dissembling rationalizations expected only of the most unethical corporations defending their market-driven practices.
Let us be clear: Either MEC will change its position, and take its cues not from the government but international ethically initiated MRI, or we will call for a boycott of MEC under the guidelines of Morally Responsible Investment.
I look forward to your public or open response to us.
Sincerely,
The Rev. Robert C. Assaly
Chair
Canadian Friends of Sabeel
Montreal
Your company is such an absolute farce. Ban Israel for their policies but still do business with China. Apparently the Jews have to be taught a lesson on democracy but China doesn’t. Your a joke and obviously pathetically transparent racists.
Good decision, MEC!
Should the mission of MEC ever get high-jacked by those who use ‘peace’ as a smokescreen to advance their anti-Israel rhetoric, that will be the end of my support for MEC.
Congratulations for keeping on task.
To use political issues for not purchasing from various countries could possibly mean that we would not be buying many products from our stores.
I’m sorry but all countries have there political issues which some of us agree with and some do not. Those people who will not buy from MEC anymore because of their beliefs should be extremely careful of the alternatives. MEC has a great record in my book for balancing cost with human issue. Some other manufacturers do not.
We (MEC and its member) should leave the political issues well alone.
As a long time member I am relieved that MEC has made the correct decision in this matter.
I can’t believe that this motion was given any credence. What is amazing is that those who condemn Israel ignore the fact that of all the countries in the Middle East, Israel is the only one that supports workers rights, women’s rights, Gay rights, allows religious freedom and has a free press. Perhaps the detractors should consider all the facts before they condemn Israel
If they are so worried about Human rights,why do they not also call for a boycott of products made in other countries such as China or Sri Lanka or do they not think that there are any human rights violations there? Ask the Tibetans or the Tamils, how they feel. Obviously those whose who claim to be worried about Human Rights but only in Israel are demonstrating their own biases.
I applaud MEC for this sensible and reasoned decision not to boycott Israeli products. Israel is a western-style democracy with social and judicial checks and balances on state behavior exceeding most of the world.
This morning (22-April-2009) The Calgary Herald indicated MEC was considering an anti-Israeli motion.
I was very happy to see your blog was updated to state that MEC is NOT taking sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The only side people ever take is the Palestinian side, which is of course would be the height of hypocrisy.
This means I can continue to shop at MEC, which I have done for 33 years!
Hey guys,
I won’t tell you which side I’m on (strongly) and I know people on both sides also.
Please trust me when I say this is a no-win situation for MEC. No matter what is decided, there will be lots of people very upset, and business will suffer. Please don’t wade in to this mess any further than you already have. Emotions run high, and both sides (including myself) tend to lose all connection with reality and rational thought, and get driven by strong emotion only. Its a no-win for any organization that goes there.
I have read of the resolution regarding trading with Israel in the Calgary Herald this morning (April 22.) and trust in view of the comments already posted by MEC that this will be heard by the AGM but not heeded. The MEC does not need to get involved in this already messy situation and will only loose customers if it tries to enter this already highly politicized situation. By all means buy from the Israelis and the Palestinians too! That is, if the Palestinians are capable of producing quality goods at a good price.
Jens Bagh
I have been a member for over 25 years and I have always found Mountain Equipment Co-op to be a leader in corporate responsibility in many areas. I commend you on your decision to keep the co-op out of “international politics”. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a highly emotionally charged issue on which most people have very strong personal beliefs. You have once again shown great leadership by sticking the co-op’s corporate mandate rather than being influenced by the personal political beliefs of members (whatever they may be). This is a courageous decision and not a sell out.
Well done MEC.
I agree with MEC’s decision not to be distracted by poltical agenda’s of others and rather, remain focused on an appropriate target of factory conditions and worker treatment in MEC’s suply chain.
Keep up the good work directing a great organization.
MEC,
As a customer who loves your products, I am shocked and appalled that your company would get political and venture into the Middle East conflict and entertain thoughts of banning Israeli products. If you do so, you will lose me as a customer (and I suspect thousands of others).
Will you also ban Chinese products? Or American? Both of which have governments which have made very poor domestic and foreign policy decisions and inflict violence against either its own people or foreign people.
The audacity of organizations that seek to punish the only free democracy which has Arabs in its parliament while ignoring the atrocities of the anti-Semites is disgusting and only displays an agenda that is out of touch with reality.
So too is the disgust I would feel towards MEC, an organization I have admired and appreciated and purchased from for over a decade should they do the extremely naive and wrong-headed thing to boycott Israel.
Every debate has two sides. Is MEC going to hire a historian on its staff to dig into the history of Israel? At the very least, do some consultations with pro-Israel groups.
Long live Israel! Long live MEC!
As a member of MEC I applaud MEC for doing the right thing and not getting involved in these politics. The whole issue is much too complicated for knee jerk boycotts. Many Palestinian-Israeli co-op ventures would also be boycotted.
I am not in favour of any boycott so kudos for MEC for having the courage to stand up for their beliefs. And for those who threaten to boycott MEC if they don’t boycott Israel- they will be back when they can’t find their outdoor equipment anywhere else. Do you really think they’d shop at Canadian Tire or Walmart???
Kudos to you MEC,
MEC is NOT a political party or political organization it is a coop that sells quality goods at reasonable prices. The Mid East conflict is not what the vast majority of your members want you to be embroiled in. Let the two sides make their points on campus or with placards but leave our MEC out of it.
Amen
I too saw the article this morning in the Calgary Herald regarding the motion to come at the MEC AGM regarding a boycott of buying from Israeli companies. I am glad to see that although MEC will allow the motion to be put forward due to their democractic policies, that it is not the management of MEC that is the source. I am also glad to see many responses on this blog against a MEC boycott of Israeli goods, and I hope the motion will not be carried.
I do not believe that this boycott would improve the situation. I believe that a company like MEC can be more influential by going into controversial parts of the world like China and rewarding ethical companies by purchasing their goods. This will do more to show the world ethical behaviour than to broadly boycott a whole country. Use the carrot, not the stick.
Karen
how do you boycott something on apartheid grounds when it is not an apartheid?
you can call that ‘tin’ can a ‘tin can’ for 100 years and people will repeat it, teach it, and promote it forever as a ‘tin can’ but in the end it is aluminum and was never a tin can at all, but whatever… stupid people keep breading with stupid people and we get MEC..
YAY….
I agree with the significant majority of bloggers before me who want MEC to dismiss (i.e. defeat) this motion. There are plenty of non-commercial organizations that individuals may use to voice their opinions, whether they are sympathetic to Israel, to Muslims or to Palestinians. However, MEC should not be saddled with political baggage beyond their stated goal to “improve the human condition behind manufacturing”.
Those that seek to boycott Israel should first ask themselves how tolerant they would be if civilians in their cities and towns were targeted many times a day with airborne missiles as has occurred in Sderot Israel from Hamas sponsored sites in nearby Gaza. At what point would you fight back, and how vigorously would you respond?
After a decade of “tolerating” this behaviour from Hamas, Israel recently chose to fight back and did so with strength, scale and conviction. Unfortunately, the Israeli response received the headlines that the decade long Hamas initiated intimidation did not. Why is the media ignoring this? Many of those that are covering this issue seem to be left wing naifs masquerading as Hamas apologists. Wake up!
“I do not have a dog in this hunt”. I am neither Jewish, Israeli nor Muslim. I am squarely on the side of democracy and freedom, and I am against tyranny, intimidation and opression. To sanction a free and democratic Israel for defending herself against a terrorist influenced regime could only be done by idealogue zealots lacking a basic understanding of the conditions the citizens of Israel have endured.
I have been a member of MEC for over a decades and I object strongly to your Israel boycott. The MEC should stick to its knitting. There are a great many political fora where MEC members can express there ideals, this should not be one of them.
I have been a member of MEC for 30 years. I won’t make it to the AGM to vote, but will vote with my feet should MEC chose to continue sourcing products from Israel.
Dear MEC,
Imagine after seeing how well of a business MEC is running, a new outdoor store opens across the street because it appears to be a great place to open a business. Things aren’t going as planned in the new store, so in an attempt to destroy MEC’s business they begin hurling bricks from their rooftop. Several times a day these bricks damage the rooftop gardens and often smash your windows, sometimes injuring the dedicated people in the store. On occasion plain-clothed employees and even loyal customers from across the street enter the store with spray paint and ruin hundreds of dollars worth of goods. Residents, pedestrians and even the police of the city continue on about their lives indifferently of your situation because, after all, you’re the most successful outdoor retailer and you still make the best products. However that may be, you continue to do business even under threat.
Now imagine if you hire special security at MEC to enter the other store to stop those few employees from hurling bricks, or watched them intently to prevent them from crossing the street and entering your store with spray paint. And what if the residents, pedestrians and police suddenly begin to get upset with MEC for it’s actions to prevent costly damage to the store? After all they’re the smaller store and your business is still booming so it’s just not fair to stop them from what they’re doing. Perhaps people will start to boycott MEC for taking action?
Just something to think about.
Boo to MEC, if this passes. Vote it down, otherwise MEC will be in danger from not being able to source any of its products from many third world, totalitarian or selected other countries. Slippery slope. Watch out, you might just get what you ask for in this “democracy”.
As an alternative to the call for boycott, would the members support a positive resolution?
Can we at MEC contribute capital, expertise, & a market outlet to support clothing manufacturing in the Gaza Strip?
What Gaza requires is a deepwater port, massive desalinization plants, & an independent manufacturing base. MEC can contribute towards the third, in the small way that our slender resources can permit.
Are we better off to light a candle rather than to curse the darkness?
I have been a member of the MEC since its first year of operation. With regret I would resign my membership if the MEC decides to boycott Israel.
For MEC to purchase a substantial quantity of its product from China, with its deplorable human rights record and particularly its treatment of Tibet which is of course a region of significance for many of MEC’s membership would be the ultimate in hypocrisy if it were to apply a different standard to Israel.
Amnesty International condemned China for a long list of human rights abuses including its brutal occupation of Tibet. It also condemned Hamas for killing 32 of it’s own people, as well as maiming dozens of opposition party supporters, and for using children, hospitals and schools as shields from which it fires rockets on daily basis attacking the civilian Israeli population.
Israel’s conduct has not always been blameless. But Amnesty International also has condemned at times the United States, England and Australia. No one has proposed boycotts against any of them.
The proposed boycott is exceedingly biased and entirely politically motivated.
If Israel should be boycotted , here is a list of other countries who should be considered for boycott.
1.Sudan
2. China
3.Syria
4. Cuba
5. North Korea
6. Russia
7. Burma
8. Sri Lanka
9. Afghanistan
10. Pakistan
We can go on and on. Singling out Israel is discrimination. Period.
Bravo to MEC. The final paragraph of the original posting says it all.
I’m proud to be an MEC member, and will keep shopping at MEC regardless of the outcome of this issue.
No one’s mind will be changed here. These writers and I will grow old.
But my grand children — and yours — will see Israel through a different lens. The Separation Wall, the settlements, the taking of Palestinian property, their livelihoods then lives, the hollow claim that Israel is a besieged outpost of Western Democracy — a pioneer fort surrounded by Indians — all this will obscure the history of the Jews.
And we all have a hand in it.
I read the MEC blog entry with interest.
It certainly sounds like a small number of MEC
members are attempting to politicize the organization, while MEC management is (a) above that sort of foolishness and (b) frustrated at being pulled into the middle of such an emotionally charged political, military and human conflict.
I imagine I am one amongst the majority of MEC members in supporting MEC’s management: (1) yes, by all means let MEC members bring motions to the AGM, no matter how outlandish and (2) politely, calmly dismiss them as irrelevant to MEC’s mandate.
Good luck guys!
It’s all about retail consumerisn people, whether it’s Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Israel, Pakistan, China, India, Philippines, Canada, United States…..they are all countries that provide cheap labour for our ridiculously high standard of living here in the ‘west’, at an obviously high cost to those labouring and at an equally obvious lower cost to those of us spending and trying to look good in our goretex/entrant/lycra/nylon/polyurethane/polartec…etc. gear. “Our interest in Israel is strictly limited to business dealings with companies that manufacture products that our members want at prices they are willing to pay”. That’s MEC, no matter what country they deal with. They are in the business of selling their product to those of us who are continually demanding it, not saving the world. If you want to save the world, buy second hand, or don’t buy at all….one Goretex jacket a lifetime is plenty, don’t you think? Even if it is last years colors……
I agree with MEC’s position and congratulate you on taking a stand to stick with your mandate and not be influenced by the bigotry of some of your members.
Thanks you for not playing politics.
Readers and members may be interested to read Naomi Klein’s influential article on the boycott of Israel:
http://www.rabble.ca/columnists/want-end-violence-gaza-boycott-israel
And here is a valuable article explaining the legal, juridical, and historical reasons why Israel is an apartheid state.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=JAM20090417&articleId=13227
I am dismayed that a member would use our Membership to advance a Political issue. I would sugget to some that bans against Countries should be considered in a Political Jurisdiction – perhaps and Organization like say the UN might be appropriate. Certainly this is a waste of time for an AGM or is this a new Political Forum for World??? Therefor I think many such motions should be allowed – I’m thinking of asking for a total ban on Products from Canada next…
I find it appalling that MEC is being drawn into a political argument on the situation re Israel. I for one will not shop anywhere that singles out a truly democratic country for whatever reason. Politics has no place here. If you went down that road you could eliminate at least a dozen countries and take most of the products off the shelves.
In addition ot a ‘Boy cot’ may we also have a resolution that MEC carry man & woman size cots…
Advise me if I am unclear on something here…
Have all the members who are voting at the end of April even been to Israel to see things first hand to make an informed decision, or are they just going to believe everything presented to them in the media?
Boycott Israeli products and two memberships lost here.
I followed the links provided by poster boy “Andrew”, one an article by Naomi (Kapo) Klein, and the other by Hazem Jamjoum. I took the time to read both of them and found both completely lacking in substance and any real information or evidence of Israel practicing apartheid. The entire apatheid accusations concerning Israel is based on lies and misrepresentations. If you don’t believe me, go visit and see for yourself. Israel has nothing to hide.
I have been a MEC member for a very long time and am quite disgusted by the overt bias in MEC’s handling of this issue – for the record, i want MEC to stop doing business with apartheid Israel, an illegitimate state carved out of the holy land by colonial fiat. Israel’s 60 plus years of occupation, murder, torture and genocide must be stopped.
ps my mother was Jewish.
THE PEOPLE PUTTING FORTH THIS MOTION CLAIM THAT GAZA’S BORDERS ARE CONTROLLED EXCLUSIVELY BY ISRAEL.
GAZA ALSO BORDERS EGYPT. ISRAEL HAS ZERO CONTROL OF THAT BORDER.
FURTHERMORE, GAZA IS NOT OCCUPIED. First, it was originally part of Egypt. Second, Israel withdrew all its troops and citizens from Gaza in 2005 only to be met with daily rocket attacks from that land the same day they left.
Hi MEC members,
I support a boycott of Israel. Not because it is “not democratic” but because, as Desmond Tutu and Jimmy Carter have said, it practices apartheid.
However, I also support MEC’s decision to wait until its members vote. MEC is a democratic organisation. If a majority of its members vote against a boycott – that’s fine. We’ll just have to wait until next year.
In the mean time, anybody who wonders if “apartheid” is too strong a word, or just an exaggeration, should take a trip to Israel and visit the occupied territories to judge for themselves.
Peter Larson
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”
- Bishop Desmond Tutu
The motion to boycott israeli goods is absurd. If one were to start boycotting countries that practice violence and drop bombs on others wouldnt the US be top of the list? How did this even become a motion?
Its great that kanadians are so “open minded” and concerned about world affairs. True post 9/11 alot of people of all cultures are somewhat more sympathetic to muslem /arabs targeted in the war on terror. But is really centering on Israelis defending themselves and killing a thousand or so civilians any worse than what has been going on in the world for centuries? Oh i guess we didnt have mass media before the 20th century. Watch out for swine flu and the recession two horrible things that wouldnt exist for many of us if it werent for the internet and tv cvoverage!!!
I am somewhat ashamed to be a MEC member. I will keep shopping and will never boycott anyone as long as no one drops bombs on me.
I think as a consumer we should make decisions that will bring awareness to the world. Yes, I support ending the sourcing to Israel to show that their political daily decisions are affecting the lives of the Palestinians. we all should push to end apartheid.
END SOURCING TO ISRAEL. I will be MEC customer again!
Once again it is the actions of corporations
that pit people against each other.Regardless of the rationalisations used,it’s all about money.
No matter what the organisation is called ie firm,company,co-op,it is defined by its’ actions,most frequently,as in this case,defence of the bottom line.
Nothing justifies suffering,especially that of children.You can put on the Pontius Pilate hand-washing act for only so long.
Forget the demagogues on all sides Face the main question.How do we work together to bring peace?One thing is certain.It is not
done by buying from manufacturers that make
war materials
If this means carrying fewer goods,so be it.
It’s called CO-OPERATIVISM, and yes,people,
that name has it’s roots in something called
ethics.
Instead of boycotting Israeli products, I propose a compromise. Israeli products should be clearly marked with a large, yellow star of David (hey – it worked for the Nazis). Customers could then make an informed choice about whether or not to buy Israeli/Jewish sporting goods. As an added benefit, any customer (who might be Jewish, sympathetic to Jewish causes, or maybe just want to buy some outdoor gear) could easily be identified as a Jew. This symbol might be very convenient for the growing number of people in Canada who want to import racial tension; particularly on university campuses, such as York or Concordia, where Jews are being intimidated, threatened and assaulted.
By the same logic, I think customers should be allowed to make an informed choice about whether they want to be served by Jewish MEC staff. After all, there is the potential that these people could be Israeli supporters. Jewish staff should be asked to wear a large yellow star as part of their uniforms. This measure would be necessary because, unlike blacks or other people of colour, you can’t always spot Jews to shun them.
Jewish customers shouldn’t be left out-perhaps a yellow star on their membership card and an extra tax as repatriations for Arab suffering?
I am very glad to hear that more and more businesses are taking a stand against Israel and Jews. I applaud MEC’s principled stand against the problems Jews pose. MEC joins other progressive unions, such as Canada Post’s union (refusing to deliver Jewish mail), and CUPE (forcing Jewish teachers in colleges and universities as a condition of employment to denounce other Jews) who wish to single Jews out for punishment. Perhaps someday stores, businesses, communities can become Jew free. Even baby steps like a MEC Israeli boycott can help make it happen.
What a nice and unique experience to see that almost all the comments here (I think, except one) is supportive of continued business with the Israeli company to MEC. I will try to make it tomorrow in order to show my support there; my support, as usual, to stop this totally subjective and illogical focus on Israel, a country whose story is almost always skewed by the media.
By the way, the Israeli company in question happens to be of extremely high moral value, including trying to better the “Palestinian” situation. You can read about it here: http://www.vancouversun.com/Life/slanderous+campaign+against/1544357/story.html. As usual, the pro-Palestinian position seems to prefer to throw not only the Jews into the sea but the Palestinians out with the bathwater.
See you tomorrow!
All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.
Canada Park exists within Israel’s current borbers where three Palestinian villages once stood.
Available on the net for viewing see: Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land: Media & the Israel-Palestine Conflict
why the overfocus on israel? what about the atrocities commited in afrika and middleeast everyday? What about the systematic imprisonment of millions of poor minorities in the US? What about goverment corruption and brutality in china? Should we figure out the source of all suspect items sold by our beloved MEC and boycott all those whose country of origin slightly offends our sense of equality as we sip our starbucks and live off student loans, EI and welfare? Shouldnt we boycott ourselves for the horrible way the immigrants of the last 100 years have treated first nation people.
Once again why the focus on Israel?
Despite the atrocities they commit isnt their main objective defensive and self survival/
How hypocritical you point your finger at Israel when quite a few of your beloved arab countries willing admit they are ready for genocide of the jewish people
I too am tired of people who continue to use slavery and the holocaust an excuse for certain cultures/peoples but why the hatred for Israel?
I am reluctant to call out anti-semitism but am dumbfounded at the rise of resentment towards jews and israeli these days
Remember they have all the money and are probably responsible for the recession, 9/11 and your pathetic finicial situation
Hypocrites in starbucks and MEC who have never left the safe confines of namerica other than backpacking through europe should really find something better to do…
The other day I rewatched news footage covering the SARs epidemic in spring/summer of 2003 and guess what? I caught SARs again
Remember to wear your masks
MEC should consider bringing together Israeli and Palestinian entrepreneurs. Lots of moderates in the Middle East have had their voices silenced because there is so very little opportunity for them to do things together.
Encourage them to form, for example, a factory whose Jewish and Muslim workers would together produce goods for MEC and other outdoor retailers.
Bringing people together is a proven way to diffuse tensions.
I am not Israeli and I am not Jewish. I am opposed to many of the actions of Israel in Gaza. However, I am opposed to boycotts ( eg the initiative at UBC to boycott Israeli universities and academics ) which destroy bridges rather than buiding them.
I am also opposed to special interest groups hyjacking organisations and using them for their own purposes. The BCTF should concentrate on the interests of the teachers and children of this province and leave MEC to continue doing what they have done for so long…ethically source their products.
The ONLY relevant point is that Israel openly and officially practices apartheid. If you try to justify it by speaking of the atrocities (from either side of the conflict), you will sound exactly like the arguments that were made to justify apartheid in South Africa.
Have a look at UN General Assembly Resolution 3379 which passed in 1975 equating Zionism with racism. It was overturned in 1991 after very intense lobbying by Israel.
But, apartheid is still apartheid.
Dear Dale Shpak
your aurgument sucks—- horrible things occur everyday in all countiries but i guess labeling Israelis Militarys Actions apartheid makes your life easier to understand. Remember the kanadian mossad is watching you and the rest of us jews are counting our money that we “jewed” from all the other hardworking canadians who fill trailerparks and ei lines. Apartheid is just a word kinda like jew or israeli. People like you make me actually prouder of my heritage through your ignorance.
I will research Resolution 3379 as you suggested.
Every day a first nations person gets drunk after visiting a bc liquor store its racism you know.
Life is simple when your ignorant.
Spare some change?
Quoting my friend HB:
The real issue is that it is inappropriate for our co-operative outdoor store to take sides in a political conflict. Its job is to sell us quality products at fair prices not to act as a platform for political opinions. MEC has already made this their policy, and unless the board of directors change, it will remain so. MEC also has a clear policy regarding labour and factory standards and environmental standards, all factories should be judged by those principles not their country of origin. If we go down the slippery slope of selective boycott, China will be next and eventually we should boycott Canada and sell the stores, because after all we are on stolen Indian land.
I think that MEC has a couple of ethical actions it could take:
1) Boycott any goods that support a militaristic Israeli state. There is a military occupation happening, and I don’t think MEC should be in denial about this. There is a difference between respecting individual Jewish people (which I do), and supporting a military state (which is Israel, which I don’t think MEC should support). MEC should not confuse the two.
2) Only purchase goods that have the support or approval of (nonprofit) Palestinian-Israeli partnership organizations. These organizations exist, and they deserve our support in their ongoing efforts toward cultivating peace. Many of them, interestingly enough, are led by women, who are the majority of courageous peacemakers so far. See for example:
http://rachelcorriefoundation.org/site/about-the-foundation/
http://rebuildingalliance.org/
Please use your power wisely. Find a way to support peace-making efforts, rather than pretending (and miserably failing to convince us) that your decisions do not have political impact. So-called “neutrality” favours those who have the big tanks and well-equipped army, not the Palestinian children throwing rocks in rebellion against at the long term and entrenched oppression of their land. Find a fair trade way to move through this landmine, or get out of Israel.
Excellent statement. I agree entirely.
1. I support Israel’s right to exist.
2. I believe members should have the right to put any boneheaded thing they wish to a vote.
3. I’m glad my co-op is confining its efforts to focussing on the condition of individual workers in its supply chain, and not getting involved in other political issues.
I’m disappointed that so many of the respondents are willing to continue to support the policy of ethnic cleansing by Israel. It’s not enough to say that MEC will adhere strictly to workplace issues in the factories where the MEC products are produced.
I think that if you investigate you will find that at least one of the factories where MEC products are made is built on land seized without compensation from Palestinians. This is one of the greatest injustices which continues to feed the conflict in occupied Palestine.
You might note that Source, the supply of hydration products to MEC, is also an important and enthusiastic supplier of hydration packs to the Israeli defense forces, and Source products were almost certainly used by IDF soldiers participating in the recent brutal attacks in Gaza (though this information isn’t easy to get without being on the ground there).
Who in their right mind would boycott Israel . It is not perfect and it has a lot of work to do . BUT It is the best over there . Stop making all your things in China if you what to do some good . There is a country that need a boycott !
Sorry but if this stupid boycott is put in I will stop shopping at MEC
I would like to invite all of those who brought forward and then supported this motion to read Hamas’ charter – just perhaps for illustration. I also might add that Hamas is refusing even now to change its Charter and to recognize the state of Israel.
Quotes from Hamas Charter
“Hamas has been looking forward to implementing Allah’s promise whatever time it might take. The prophet, prayer and peace be upon him, said The time will not come until Muslims will fight the Jews; until the Jews hide behind rocks and trees, which will cry: O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, come on and kill him!” (Article 7)
“[Peace] initatives, the so-called peaceful solutions, and the international conferences to resolve the Palestinian problem, are all contrary to the beliefs of the Islamic Resistance Movement. For renouncing any part of Palestine means renouncing part of the religion; the nationalism of the Islamic Resistance Movement is part of its faith, the movement educates its members to adhere to its principles and to raise the banner of Allah over their homeland as they fight their Jihad: “Allah is the all-powerful, but most people are not aware.”" (Article 13)
I find it really offensive that organizations such Mountain Equipment Coop would even consider such actions. I find it preposterous that anybody would even suggest racism towards Palestinians and not notice so many facts that suggest to contrary (see above). The naked truth is that Palestinians could have their country long ago (to be specific in 1947 UN resolution 181), and instead decided to wage the war against the Jews – please, note that this is not a typo – the war was not just simply against Israel, it was against the Jews. That this racism is not a two-way street in this case is well documented. For instance – there are Muslims in Israeli Army and now even a Muslim general.
We all know but many choose not to see that Israel keeps responding against attacks carried purposely against civilian population (those 7000 rockets fired at the direction of Israel were not aimed against military bases, they were aimed against civilians). When Israel responds (and any country in the world would have responded under same circumstances), it actually warns civilians prior to any bombings or attacks. That all those “brave” Hamas and Hezbollah fighters choose to use civilians as human shield is true, but one could hardly blame Israelis for that. Actually, judging by the resolution brought forth by some members of the Mountain Equipment Coop and judging by some responses here, obviously some people can.
Hamas and such managed to obstruct any peace settlement that would have been beneficial to all parties involved. In Arafat’s case one should not be really surprised, because his “struggles” brought him riches he never could dream about (and this, by the way, is not a rumor – this has been proven). One could only wonder about his followers. But one could not and really should not wonder about the fact that our money are used to fuel this incredible racism in Palestine. Books for children that are full of hatred against the Jews are printed for our money. I am not even mentioning the possibility that our tax dollars are used to purchase rockets to be used against Israeli civilians. I would also like to point out that if your thinking is that we are talking just about some Jews in a far away country and who really cares, you should start thinking again. The Jews are the first target and but all other “infidels” are to follow.
Despite it’s complexities.. The suffering of Palestinians is not a mystery; refusing to take part of an international dispute by using the equation that boycotting a country based on policy is like RACIAL PROFILING is perfectly flawed. MEC is at the HEART of the conflict because they supply a repressive regime who’s very existence is based on the expulsion if not extermination of Palestinians whose land was given to the Zionists by Colonial Powers. Like those powers MEC continues to supply, employ, contribute to the economy (which is then translated into ammunition, rockets, snipers and secret service that detain and torture Palestinians on a daily basis) There are other countries like Turkey, Poland, Germany and Even Canadians are capable of becoming MEC’s alternate human resource. IT IS WORTH MENTIONING THAT ALL THE POSTS IN THIS BLOG HAVE 1 MONOTONIC VOICE. ON A MATTER THAT IS HIGHLY CHARGED AND EXTREMELY POLARIZED BETWEEN ISRAELIS AND THE REST OF THE WORLD.. I urge MEC to think of the 400 children that died as a result of IDF indiscriminate attack on civilians.. every dollar MEC contributes to an economy of Horror, they bare the stain of blood on their hands too.. supplying the drug addict with their next fix while pretending to be their Humanity-loving friend is no less hypocritical then to supply a War machine with the means ($) to develop its killing technologies and thus MEC is partly responsible and is directly involved in the Palestinian Suffering.. By not Boycotting Israeli cooperation.. MEC you’ve already picked sides… You’re on German side of the fence .. staring down at the Hell of Auschwitz (Gaza and W. Bank) and breathing down with smiley profits the very stench of scorched skin… Resistance is Fertile…