The message here, of course, is that terrorism works. Violent intimidation works. Thuggery works. This is just the opposite message of the one that should be sent, but what do you expect? It’s Absurd and Subjugated Britannia.
“Sainsbury’s strips kosher food from its shelves over fear of attacks by anti-Israeli protesters picketing as Gaza demonstrators run amok in Tesco branch,” by Dan Bloom and Lucy Osborne, Daily Mail, August 17, 2014 (thanks to all who sent this in):
A Sainsbury’s branch emptied its kosher food shelf after the manager feared anti-Israeli protesters outside would attack it, the supermarket giant has said.
Meats, cheeses and sauces were removed from a Sainsbury’s Local branch in Holborn, central London, as it was picketed by demonstrators who were calling on the grocer to boycott Israeli goods.
The incident yesterday afternoon happened on the same day anti-Israeli activists ‘wreaked havoc’ at a Birmingham branch of Tesco when a demonstration got out of hand.
Actor Colin Appleby took a photo of the empty shelf, prompting uproar online as hundreds condemned the grocer for appearing to succumb to the demands of the protesters.
People also pointed out that many of the goods were not from Israel and instead came from nations including Britain and Poland.
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Anger: Kosher goods were removed yesterday from a Sainsbury’s Local in Holborn, central London, allegedly over fears that protesters would damage them. But a passer-by claimed staff said: ‘We support Free Gaza’
+6Anger: Kosher goods were removed yesterday from a Sainsbury’s Local in Holborn, central London, allegedly over fears that protesters would damage them. But a passer-by claimed staff said: ‘We support Free Gaza’
Mr Appleby wrote that a staff member defended the decision by stating: ‘We support Free Gaza’.
When he then pointed out the distinction between Israeli and kosher goods, staff ‘walked away’, he wrote.
More…
Gaza protesters run amok in Tesco and attack staff and police ‘because it stocks Israeli food’: Up to 100 demonstrators hunted after shoppers were left terrified by rampage
Caught in the crossfire: Hundreds of animals trapped in dilapidated Gaza zoo by weeks of Israeli shellingThe move yesterday sparked online accusations of anti-Semitism by the grocer – despite the Sainsbury family’s well-documented Jewish ancestry dating back as far as the 19th century.
Sainsbury’s insisted the decision was taken in case protesters hurled food from the shelves, which would then have to be thrown away.
But Facebook user Gavin Platman made a formal complaint about the incident, which happened half a mile from the company’s headquarters at London’s Holborn Circus.
He 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.
Before and after: Theatre actor Colin Appleby visited the store when the goods were removed yesterday (pictured) before returning today, assuring other internet users that a staff member had been ‘suitably chastised’
+6
Before and after: Theatre actor Colin Appleby visited the store when the goods were removed yesterday before returning today (pictured), assuring other internet users that a staff member had been ‘suitably chastised’
+6Before and after: Theatre actor Colin Appleby visited the store when the goods were removed yesterday (left) before returning today (right), assuring other internet users that a staff member had been ‘suitably chastised’
Controversy: The incident yesterday happened at this Sainsbury’s Local branch in Holborn, central London. A spokesman insisted it was ‘not company policy at all’ and had only been done to stop food being damaged
+6Controversy: The incident yesterday happened at this Sainsbury’s Local branch in Holborn, central London. A spokesman insisted it was ‘not company policy at all’ and had only been done to stop food being damaged
‘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.’
RISE IN ANTI-SEMITIC INCIDENTSThe incident at the Sainbury’s branch comes in the context of a rise in anti-Semitic attacks.
Last month Britain saw the second-most anti-Semitic incidents in any month since records began in 1984, according to a Jewish community organisation.
The Community Security Trust recorded 200 incidents in July, suggesting a huge increase since the Gaza conflict began on July 8.
The first six months of 2014 saw 304 anti-Semitic incidents, a 36 per cent rise on the same period last year, the Trust said.
The government’s communities minister Stephen Williams met the Trust’s directors on Wednesday to discuss the rise.
He said: ‘It is more important than ever that in the face of the deeply upsetting events taking place in Gaza, Israel, Syria and Iraq that Britain’s many diverse communities stand united in supporting our shared British values of understanding and mutual respect.’
Former Tory MP Louise Mensch also waded into the row, writing on Twitter: ‘Dear @Sainsburys kosher is JEWISH food. Israel is a COUNTRY. How DARE YOU equate Jews’ food to ISRAEL, how dare you #EverydayAntisemitism’.
Pro-Palestinian protesters in Britain have long urged supporters to boycott Israeli goods, though not kosher goods, to send a message to Israel over its blockade of Gaza.
The incident yesterday happened on the same day as demonstrators ‘wreaked havoc’ in a Tesco store after a protest against its stocking of Israeli food got out of hand.
Protesters accused of hurling produce and attacking police at the supermarket in Hodge Hill, Birmingham, are being hunted by officers.
It is understood similar protests at Israeli military action in Gaza have taken place outside Tesco stores in Rochdale and Sale in Greater Manchester, Blackburn and Luton. A march involving 1,500 people in Cardiff last month led to criticism of the police after footage emerged of violence erupting.
Tesco sells fruit, peppers, potatoes and herbs from Israel, along with branded goods. A spokesman said: ‘We do this in line with the Government position on trade with Israel, and we mark all products clearly with the country of origin, so customers can make informed choices about what to buy.’
The protest outside the Holborn Sainsbury’s was thought to have been a smaller demonstration, not one of the huge marches which have taken place in London since the Gaza conflict began on July 8.
The Stop The War coalition organised a protest in central London yesterday but it marched through a different part of the city, from the Egyptian embassy in Mayfair to Downing Street.
Fury: Former Tory MP Louise Mensch waded into the row, saying to remove the food was discriminationFury: Former Tory MP Louise Mensch waded into the row, saying to remove the food was discrimination
Debate: She called anti-Israeli protesters ‘racist b*******’ and said the supermarket should not have moved foodDebate: She called anti-Israeli protesters ‘racist b*******’ and said the supermarket should not have moved food
Protest: Ms Mensch used the hashtag #EverydayAntisemitism to criticise the branch manager’s decisionProtest: Ms Mensch used the hashtag #EverydayAntisemitism to criticise the branch manager’s decision
Mr Appleby returned to the branch this evening and found the kosher food shelf had been fully reinstated, adding: ‘Sainsbury’s assure me the staff member has been suitably chastised.’
The firm admitted the kosher food was removed but challenged Mr Appleby’s version of events.
A Sainsbury’s spokesman told MailOnline there was ‘no evidence’ that a staff member had made the ‘Free Gaza’ comment and instead the decision was taken to stop protesters damaging the food.
The spokesman added: ‘It was the manager’s decision there and then – not company policy at all. We are a non-political organisation and we’re not coming down on either side of the argument.
‘We have had similar demonstrations at stores where people have gone in and removed goods, though no great damage was done.
‘A decision was taken by a store manager faced with a challenging situation outside the store’.
Anger: The incident happened yesterday as police officers were allegedly attacked when an anti-Israeli protest at this branch of Tesco in Hodge Hill, Birmingham, got out of hand. Stock was thrown around the store
+6Anger: The incident happened yesterday as police officers were allegedly attacked when an anti-Israeli protest at this branch of Tesco in Hodge Hill, Birmingham, got out of hand. Stock was thrown around the store
Heavy police presence: Several officers were pictured outside the Birmingham Tesco during the demonstration
+6Heavy police presence: Several officers were pictured outside the Birmingham Tesco during the demonstration
Protest outside Birmingham branch of TescoShe confirmed the protest had been specifically against the Holborn Sainsbury’s, but was unable to say how large it was. It was not believed to be targeted at the giant’s nearby headquarters.
Sainsbury’s added in a statement: ‘The decision was taken to move these products to chilled storage elsewhere in the store for a short period on Saturday as a precautionary measure during an ongoing demonstration close to the store.
‘They were returned to shelf as soon as was practically possible. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2727266/Sainsbury-s-strips-kosher-food-shelves-fear-attacks-anti-Israeli-protesters.html#ixzz3AkLsyYrt
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gerard says
I have no tears left for this.
Uri says
As a kid, I grew up with the narrative that the stronger Israel became, the safer the Jewish community worldwide would become.
It was difficult to grow out of the notion and admit that the observant Jews, orthodox , charedim — we’re right — the very opposite is true.
I’m not pleased and I take no satisfaction in being right.
john spielman says
you are NOT right. the problem lies NOT with Israel but with the gutless western govts that tolerate such vile fascist behavior of the pro islamic anti Israel loby. If the laws of the land were enforced, such violent behavior and /or intimidation would be stopped. I recommend that shop owners have tazers and good video documenation. If such malcontents come to the store and start with any kind of violence or threasts of violence- call the police and begin to fight back with tazers to those doing vandalism
Islam is a fascist ” religion” and its adherents act like the Nazi brownshirts of the 1930s!
Myxlplik says
Nice blame the victim mentality you have there Uri, it saddens me to say. I am not pleased and take no satisfaction in saying that and being right.
tpellow says
Supplementary.
‘Telegraph’ (£)-
“Sainsbury’s store strips shelves of kosher food as protestors gather outside.
The manager of the store ordered all kosher food to be removed from sale because they thought anti-Israel protestors might trash the shop.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/11040483/Sainsburys-store-strips-shelves-of-kosher-food-as-protestors-gather-outside.html
pumbar says
I wanted to be the first here but failed. Got the usual.
gerard says
No doubt there will be other opportunities. Sadly.
RonaldB says
A lot of the mob rule in England results from the systematic legal pressure against allowing British citizens any means to defend themselves: guns, airguns, knives…any type of self-defense is criminalized.
The result is that any group of 3 or more people has tremendous power on the street in Britain. They can attack anyone with impunity, and can enter stores at will, harass the customers and smash the insides.
So, people willing to ignore the law are empowered, and people wishing to defend themselves are disarmed and prosecuted.
EYESOPEN says
You hit a home run with your post RonaldB.
Shane says
RonaldB
Shooting Homicides per year per 100,000 :
In the US – 0.6
In the UK – 0.04
Total shooting deaths per year per 100,000 :
In the US – 7.3
In the UK – 0.25
That’s more than 10 times the number in the US. Not sure you really want to advocate for US style gun laws.
Elizabeth says
Just hand Islam the KEYS to your KINGDOM. You are done. When you’ll go so far as to remove Kosher FOOD from your stores to appease a possible attack by pro-jihad radicals, you are done, Islam has won, just line up to pay your Jizyah Tax to the Muslims, admit defeat and bare your neck so your head can be easily removed by their sword. Tyranny wins and your freedoms are gone; prepare to meet your Muslim masters!
Alissa says
Elizabeth:
You are so right. I am Canadian but British roots. I feel devastated. Get up UK and organize. Fight back.
The Levite says
Sainsburys apologize:
http://j-sainsbury.co.uk/extras/faqs/media/kosher-products-on-sale-at-our-holborn-store/
kevinr says
What a cowardly attempt to appease Islamist thugs. I’m no longer shopping at Sainsburies
kevinr says
What a cowardly attempt to appease Islamist thugs. I’m no longer shopping at Sainsburys
Michael Copeland says
This is just the start.
SpiritOf1683 says
It is time we introduced the backsides of these thugs to a rattan cane, just like they’d get in Singapore. And after they’ve been lashed, kick them and their families out of Britain and to their ancestral Islamic hellholes. A country with a strong moral fibre would have donte that, but 50 years of political correctness have given these foxes the run of the henhouse.
Sarah L Nield says
I’ve written to Sainsbury’s informing them they have lost a customer.
There is only one Sainsbury’s near where I live and at the height of the shopping day, there are only maybe a dozen customers in, unlike the main Asda and Tesco which have a decent customer flow.
What with the abundance of choice between supermarkets you’d think Sainsbury’s would be careful not to insult their usual customers on behalf of imported faux outrage from the new brownshirts with their flags and slogans who do not shop there.
Still, an apology on the official website. The bully boy hate brigades of Islam and their student common room mentality supporters are not having it all their own way!
Brian Hoff says
The mangent is correct in what he did. It the koshe food was throw or damage he might not be allow to sell it but ending throw it in the garge pill , in loseing the valve of the food.
SpiritOf1683 says
This is happening because there are hate-filled Muslims in Britain and no other reason. Islam is a barbaric hate-based humanoid cult. Likewise 7/7 happened for the same reason.
Tommo says
You will notice Kosher food is clearly identified, labelled and contained in one place whereas Halal food is not and is often dispersed throughout the store and hidden amongst non-Halal products. This strategy confuses the innocent shoppers who haven’t a clue that they are unwittingly supporting Islam and Sharia by buying Muslim food.
Shane says
So Tommo. Are you advocating the boycotting of Halal food. I believe the boycotting of Kosher food was referred to in this article as anti-Semitic. Would you agree with that point. It seems logically then that the boycotting of Halal food would likewise be Islamaphobic. Would you agree.
Seems a double standard wouldn’t you think.