Do you shop at Trader Joe's?

If not, perhaps you should this weekend:

Flush with their success in France, Palestinians, and their friends, are planning on “de-shelving” Israeli products here at home, and they’ve selected Trader Joe’s as their target.

As far as I can tell, Palestinians (and their friends) are generally hostile to Trader Joe’s for its temerity in stocking Israeli products.  The pressure is on June 20th, however, because June 20th is World Refugee Day.  (Considering that it is the UN that has ensured that Palestinians have been refugees for decades, you’d think they’d simply boycott the UN, but that kind of logic seems to elude these groups.)

So far, Trader Joe’s (bless its corporate heart), is standing firm.

This letter was received by the Central Pacific office of the Anti-Defamation League from Jon Basalone,Senior VP, Marketing, Trader Joe’s:

“We have received a few letters like this via our customer relations email as well. Our response is that we sell products, and do not use our products as political tools or to make any statements about any political causes. We have no intention of removing any products based on pressure from any group, no matter what they support or don’t support. As always, we believe our customers are smart, and they are capable of making decisions about what they purchase. Let me know if you have any more questions or need more information.”

That’s the kind of attitude we like to see our American corporations show, and in this regard Trader Joe’s is proving itself to be a courageous organization deserving our praise.

And courage may really be needed.  As the episode in France demonstrates, de-shelving can be an actual physical process in which political thugs vandalize a store.  It is entirely possible, of course, to de-shelve a product by putting pressure on management not to stock that product or by stopping your own purchases of that product (and encouraging others to do the same).  As to these last two tactics, as long as the pressure isn’t illegal, they are a legitimate use of marketplace power.

People who support the state of Israel, however, can also use marketplace power.  It’s very simple:  Go to Trader Joe’s and buy products made in Israel.

Couldn't agree with Bookie more... I hope to head that way this weekend.

You?

Comments

[Roland Phillips]

Don't the two work together in the factories to produce the goods sold abroad?

[tim aka The Godless Heathen]

So what would the Palestinians like us to buy that they make?

Beside hate and suicide bombers what exactly do those perpetually angry, good for nothing miscreants produce?

[Reuven]

A Bay Area group is planning a series of "Terror Attacks" aimed at stores that carry Israeli products this Saturday. Details here. Do what you can to thwart these loonies.

[Jon]

But assuming our counter-protest works, what are we supposed to do with all that couscous? Fortunately, my mom has provided an answer at www.divestthis.com.

[John Rice]

Hey Tim - I can answer your question. My Wife (a Palestinian) produced my two sons, blood relatives to the owner of this blog. I'll let him answer whether or not his half-Palestinian nephews are "good for nothing miscreants" as you have labeled them and all other Palestinians with your small minded post.

I read this blog on occasion....if there's anything that is constant here its that you all like to put labels on everyone... keep commiserating together here because if you all are representative of the Republican Party it won't be long before it will be small enough to hold all communication with each other right here on this blog.

[Rick]

I'm saddenned that this has had to go public...

I'm saddened that Tim's comments can't be read within the context of the post...

I'm saddenned that anyone would think that I think anything but the world of my Palestinian sister-in-law and the nephews she gave birth to or that the sum total of my feelings for them could be so skewed by a single post where I did nothing but excerpt someone else's words...

I'm saddenned that Tim's words would be used as a pretext to attack this blog and her readers.

Clearly, there's much more going on here than the post... clearly... and I'm as saddenned that somehow, someway, I've missed it. My only conclusion is that my pro-Israeli stance must be forfeited because my sister-in-law is a Palestinian.

But perhaps, since this is now public, I'll publish the e-mail exchange that I had with the sister-in-law that I love and respect so very much since I'm now suspecting it has led us to where we are at this moment.

After all... I'm one who believes in context... and consider it key.

[tim aka The Godless Heathen]

Rick,

I hesitate to respond on this for it seems I have already caused enough damage at this point. But keeping silent could also be interpreted incorrectly also.

Let me just say that I’m sorry for my words, I humbly apologize that my generalization brought hurt feelings and divisiveness to your family. Truly the last thing I would want to happen.

I shall try harder to remember that words have meaning and that I have a responsibility as a part, albeit very small but for which I’m a grateful that you have allowed me to be so, of this blog and my words should be more carefully selected.

Again, I’m sorry.

[Alok]

Trader Joe's prices items lower then other retailers, but their labeling is deceptive. Name an Item and I can provide proof.

Lets take their signature Organic Unsalted Butter - it contains lactic acid. Instead of culturing and churning the buttermilk they add lactic acid as a 'flavoring'