SAFEWAY
BOYCOTTING ISRAEL?
BOYCOTT
THE BOYCOTTERS!
By RHONDA COWEN
The Jewish Telegraph
May
18, 2002
FURIOUS Glasgow Jewish shoppers plan to boycott their local
Safeway store in protest over its policy on Israel.
After reading the news in the Jewish Telegraph that the store was
boycotting goods in what it termed "occupied territories in
Israel," many of them have made verbal and written protests
to their local Giffnock branch.
They have also decided not to shop there until there is a reversal
of policy.
Flora Glekin, co-chair of the Central and Edith Eder Glasgow WIZO,
said: "Quite a number of us have gone to object.
Innocent
"I will be objecting myself today and I would encourage others
to do the same.
"At our WIZO meeting, we also decided to write on behalf of
the group to the store.
"WIZO is not a political organisation but I feel that this
is not a political issue. It is a humanitarian one and innocent
people will suffer on both sides.
"Not only Israelis but the people of the West Bank will suffer."
Marjorie Burton, hon secretary of the Central and Edith Eder Group,
said: "I have written on behalf of the executive and committee
expressing our extreme dismay.
"I have outlined the fact that we have over 500 women in our
group, many of whom shop at the Giffnock Safeway.
''A great number of these shoppers will not patronise the store
until there is a reversal of policy."
Stephen Kliner, President of the Glasgow Jewish Representative
Council, added: "I would advise any individuals who wish to
complain to do so. Our general policy is to write and or voice complaints.
''Making contact is the most effective method."
Inferior
The supermarket chain now claims that it does not purchase goods
produced in the "occupied territories" because of its
inferior quality.
A spokesperson said this week: "We are not boycotting goods
from Israel.
"We do buy goods from Israel although more than 85 per cent
of products we sell are produced in the UK. In common with every
product we sell we look for the top quality.
"We source some fresh fruit from Israel but we do not purchase
any product that does not meet our high criteria and our suppliers
inform us that what fruit there is available from such areas as
the West Bank is not of the quality that we would purchase.
''Purchasing is made on quality alone."
SAFEWAY RESPONDS:
20 May 2002
Dear Sirs,
In light of recent media speculation, I am writing to confirm that
Safeway has taken no decision to refuse to stock products made in
Israel or the occupied territories and has no intention of doing
so.
Our approach to sourcing the products we sell is determined entirely
by the normal commercial criteria. We aim to offer our customers
the best quality and value for money. In order to meet
this aim we continue to look for the best suppliers, both abroad
and in the UK. We stock when in season, Israeli tomatoes, grapes,
strawberries, plums and citrus fruits.
Safeway aims to play an important role in all the communities in
which it operates. Over the years we have worked hard in developing
our range of Kosher products and we will continue to strive to meet
the demands of our Jewish customers.
Kind Regards
Safeway
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