Eretz Israel is our unforgettable historic homeland...The Jews who will it shall achieve their State...And whatever we attempt there for our own benefit will redound mightily and beneficially to the good of all mankind. (Theodor Herzl, DerJudenstaat, 1896)

We offer peace and amity to all the neighbouring states and their peoples, and invite them to cooperate with the independent Jewish nation for the common good of all. The State of Israel is ready to contribute its full share to the peaceful progress and development of the Middle East.
(From Proclamation of the State of Israel, 5 Iyar 5708; 14 May 1948)

With a liberal democratic political system operating under the rule of law, a flourishing market economy producing technological innovation to the benefit of the wider world, and a population as educated and cultured as anywhere in Europe or North America, Israel is a normal Western country with a right to be treated as such in the community of nations.... For the global jihad, Israel may be the first objective. But it will not be the last. (Friends of Israel Initiative)

Wednesday 12 October 2011

Starbucks: No More Smashed Windows In Londonistan?

Putting the pro-Hamas jackboot in: London, January 2009
Back in 2009, during Operation Cast Lead, there were disgraceful scenes of mob violence close to the Israeli Embassy in Londonistan.

Among the targets of the ferals' anger was a nearby branch of the global coffee shop chain Starbucks, a chain which has been the subject of picketing by BDSers (see here for instance), and was badly vandalised on that occasion reportedly because Starbucks' CEO in America, Howard Schultz, is Jewish.

It will be interesting to see whether Starbucks escapes the wrath next time.  For, in the words of a rightly incensed informant, the company via the internet has got  "into bed with Palestinian propagandists":
 "So I'm at Starbucks this morning and normally pass through the opening screen after logging onto the internet... but what do I see as one of the three featured items?"

Yes, what he saw was that on its "Digital Network" the company has been helping to publicise a slanted version of the Arab-Israeli Conflict ("Palestine: A Century of Shrinking") complete with a series of maps calculated to woo the unwary into the enemy camp - click here.

'Gee,' the outraged spotter continues, with understandable sarcasm,
'So after Israel was created, "war breaks out" between Israel and Arab states?  Hm.  Sounds pretty equitable to me. 
 1967: Israel captures the Siani?  Then occupies the region?  With no provocation whatsoever?  Wow, those bastards.  No wonder everyone's against Israel.
The first Palestinian intifada consisted of "mass civil disobedience?"  You mean they would like, block traffic and refuse police orders to move?  They sang songs of peace, and refused to stop?  Wow, now I hate those evil Zionists even more.'
Shouldn't we all be telling Schultz how we feel about his company helping to demonise the Jewish State?

Starbucks Coffee, Howard Schultz, CEO, 206-447-1575, info@starbucks.com, General comment form here

And perhaps patronising Starbucks' rivals instead?

I'm told Costas isn't that bad ...

Of course, for a caffeine-free kick there's always Max Brenner...

Update - The Simon Wiesenthal Center has issued the following Press Release:


October 12, 2011


Various members of the Simon Wiesenthal Center have alerted the SWC to this misleading posting on the history of the Land of Israel which ran on Starbucks Digital Network. The Center immediately contacted Starbucks headquarters.


The Center wrote in part, “…we'd like to hear from Starbucks about what steps you are taking to remove it and what steps… you'll be taking to assure that Starbucks won't serve as a platform for such material in the future.


The propaganda presentation called Palestine: A Century of Shrinking present maps that falsely assert that the historic Land of Israel belonged to the Arabs.


“The material presented on the Starbucks Digital Network is similar to other anti-Israel propaganda being promoted by extreme anti-Israel groups. We urge our members to join us in urging Starbucks not to allow itself to be a platform by extremists, “ said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, SWc Associate Dean.


Go to info@starbucks.com to let Starbucks know what you think of this, site case #7361732 in your email.

8 comments:

  1. Starbucks could do with some stickers on the windows...

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  2. Unbelievable. What is this anti-Israel propaganda doing on a Starbucks "news" website? It is full of omissions and distortions, and no wonder - look at the "sources" quoted: The BBC, Al-Jazeera, CNN, The London Times and the UN.

    I thought Starbucks were a bunch of "Zionists" - after all, Queen Esther is on the Starbucks seal, right?

    http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/130368#.TpW_EnOi1-A

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  3. Indeed, Samson - I noticed the dodgy sources!

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  4. My comment:

    Mr. Schultz,

    The purpose of this correspondence is to level a complaint regarding content on your website in your "Digital Network" arena that presents a slanted version of the Arab-Israeli Conflict ("Palestine: A Century of Shrinking"). I am outraged and disappointed that your company would succumb to revisionist history and Arab propaganda that tests the limits of libel. There is hardly a shred of verifiable or credible truth within this most cynical narrative. Rather than promoting peace, you add fuel to an already raging fire of mis-information, virulent anti-Semitism, and the morally inverse agendas of organizations intent on delegitimizing the State of Israel. Mr. Schultz, what part of the “Palestinian” rally cry: “Palestine, from the river to the sea” do you not understand.

    As a corporation (Starbucks) that has included in it’s branding a strong element of social responsibility, you should be ashamed of yourself. The never ending call from virtually every sector of the Arab world calls for the destruction of Israel, and you, perhaps unwittingly, are now a facilitator of such a malevolent goal.

    I am not here to brandish threats or recriminations, although you may be assured that I and my legion of family, friends, colleagues, associates, and acquaintances will be satiating our coffee cravings at alternative venues, but I do hope you reconsider this most offensive and inaccurate account by pulling it from your site.

    The capitulation by your company to acquiesce at best or lend aid and comfort to anti-human, dark and evil forces at least, is a tragic commentary and I would hope in complete opposition to your carefully sculpted corporate image you so fiercely defend. Mr. Schultz, there is an unassailable and non-negotiable universal right and wrong. At this time you are on the wrong side and I implore you to remedy the situation.

    Sincerely,
    David S. Simpson

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  5. Daphne: Have you seen the latest Starbucks anti-Israel promotion? I posted it on my blog. Check it out: http://thinkingoutsidetheblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/jewish-group-urges-starbucks-to-take.html

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  6. I'm on my way to your blog, Louis!

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