Digital Journalism class at Saint Martin's University explores the controversy around Olympia Food Co-op's boycott of Israeli products. Slide show created by students for the September Project http://theseptemberproject.org/

1. Olympia Food Co-op boycotts Israel, pulls products “Olympia Food Co-op: Products pulled after board decides to boycott nation”“The board voted to boycott Israeli products as a way to “compel Israel to follow international law and respect Palestinian human rights,” according to a statement the board released.” Boone, Rolf. "Olympia Food Co-op Boycotts Israel, Pulls Products." The Olympian 21 July 2010. Web Olympiakomo.com SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

2. PeacePeace Oil: Shalom Aleichem As Adam Horowitz reported in the Mondoweiss“There is one product not included in the boycott - “Peace Oil,” a brand of olive oil fairly traded from Palestinian farmers in the West Bank and Palestinian and Jewish women in the Galilee.” There is one solitary product that is from Israel that was not discontinued because of the Olympia Food Coop joining the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. Horowitz, Adam. "Olympia Food Co-op removes Israeli products from shelves." Mondoweiss: The War of Ideas in the Middle East. N.p., July 19, 2010. Web. 15 Sep 2010. SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

3. Why Israel? They aren’t banning Turkey, so why ban Israel? “I salute the great work of the people in Olympia….It is a step toward accountability for Israel’s murder of Rachel Corrie.” -Yonatan Shapira It is probably no coincidence that Olympia is the hometown of the International Solidarity Movement activist Rachel Corrie who was killed seven years ago in Gaza – a Caterpillar bulldozer ran over her as she tried to prevent demolition of a Palestinian house. Natasha Mozgovaya. “Food co-op in Rachel Corrie's hometown boycotts Israeli goods.” Tuesday, July 20, 2010. Haaretz.com Rachel Corrie in Palestine SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

4. Olympia Food Co Op Takes Radical Step Toward Social JusticeCo op's decision to boycott Israeli products is a step in the right direction “Something extremely valuable is happening there. Something truly radical. An awareness that people who are truly in favor of social justice must take a stand against bigotry, no matter the target.” - Daniel Lubetsky “Olympia Food Co Op's stance against boycott” blog.peaceworks.net – August 23, 2010 originally posted by Bradley Buirston at Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz – August 8, 2010 photo: christiansincontext.org SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

5. Don’t Boycott Israel Israeli boycott doesn’t please everyone. What they're saying is, "We consider your country so intrinsically reprehensible that we are going to treat all of your citizens as pariahs.“ Weisberg, Jacob. "Don't Boycott Israel." Newsweek 156.5 (2010): 22. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 15 Sept. 2010. SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

6. Boycotting Israeli goods is not the first time Olympia Food Co-Op is taking on a giant. Other boycotts include “Colorado” for “legalizing discrimination against gays, lesbians, and bisexuals in 1992” and “China” for “its occupation of Tibet.” ADMIN., "Olympia Food Co-op removes Israeli goods from shelves; first US store to institute boycott." Olympia BDS (July 19, 2010): n. pag. Web. 14 Sep 2010. SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

7. Olympia Food Co-op Boycott Deemed Controversial Olympia Food Co-op members get another chance to discuss a controversial board decision to boycott Israeli products at its two stores “This is a pretty big issue. The membership was not informed in the decision making process, which we feel is problematic.” –Rabbi Seth Goldstein (Olympia, WA) Local Newspaper: Rolfe Boone, “The Olympian” SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

8. Israel violates human rights Israeli Defense Forces apply various abusive techniques on Palestinians. “Security forces killed at least 573 Palestinians and one foreign national and injured 2,992 Palestinians and other persons during the year, some of whom were innocent bystanders.” Cordesman, Anthony H. The Israeli-Palestine War: Escalating to Nowhere. Westport: Greenwood Group, 2005. Print. SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

9. According to Time magazine journalist Mitch Frank, “The Israeli-Palestinian conflict isn’t a story about good people and evildoers. It’s about human beings who want to live in peace and prosperity on the land that their ancestors lived on.” To Frank, getting yourself out of the dark and coming up with your own, informed opinion is the first step in creating opportunity for peace. If knowledge be the food of peace, read on Understanding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, its origins, and its effects can help you make a more informed decision about where you stand on the issue. Mitch Frank. Understanding the Holy Land: Answering Questions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Penguin Group. (2, 130) 2005. SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

10. Many may speak, who decides? About 300 people filled The Olympia Center on Thursday night for a passionate debate on a recent controversial decision by the Olympia Food Co-op board to boycott Israeli-made products. During an intense meeting with co-op and non co-op members, “About 115 people signed up to speak at the meeting, and speakers were asked to limit their comments. During the first hour, about 20 people spoke in support of the boycott, and 10 people spoke against it.” Noah Sochet, who said “he has worked at the co-op for six years,” said “the board’s decision was not made overnight, that the idea of boycotting Israeli products started two years ago.” Rolf Boone “The Bellingham Herald”, Aug. 14, 2010 SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

11. Israeli-Palestinian conflict: the root of the problem Israel and Palestine at war over land. “The ongoing battle between the Israelis and Palestinians is rooted in a struggle between the two peoples over land, national identity, political power, and the politics of self-determination.” Milton-Edwards, Beverley. The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: a People's War. London: Routledge, 2009. Print. SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

12. Olympia Food Co-Op Feeds the Feud By participating in the BDS, the Boycotts, Divestment, and Sanctions, Washington’s Olympian Food Co-Op is playing with politics instead of playing with their food. The BDS is described by Ambassador Michael Oren in a conference as, “the lavishly-funded and global efforts to deny Israel the right to defend itself, and indeed to deny Israel the right to exist.” Olympia Food Co-Op joining this campaign is feeding the Israeli-Palestine feud. Diament, Nathan. "Pre-Rosh Hashana Conference Call With Ambassador Michael Oren." Institute for Public Affairs. IPA, September 13, 2010. Web. 14 Sep 2010. SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

13. Support builds for boycotts against Israel, activists say Peace talks have been going on for decades and all they have resulted in are more dispossession The movement has gained energy from a Palestinian boycott announced in May of products made by Israeli settlers, but it also has sparked a backlash from Israeli lawmakers, who are now considering a bill that would bar non-Israelis involved in "boycott divestment sanctions" efforts from entering Israel for 10 years. Farah Stockman. (2010, August 22). Support builds for boycotts against Israel, activists say. Boston Globe,p. A.2. Retrieved September 16, 2010, from US National Newspapers. (Document ID: 2116366251). SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

14. Israeli envoy to enter Port Townsend fray over proposed co-op boycott International politics have a local spotlight on Sunday, with two presentation offering opposing views of Israel in light of an expected decision about the Port Townsend Food Co-op “Kittredge has called Israelis “bullies” who do not respect the rights of Palestinians and do not allow farmers to use their land” Local Newspaper: “Peninsula Daily News”, Charlie Bermant SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

15. Peace talks may better opinions of Israelis and help put an end to product boycott at the food co-op. “President Obama called Friday [September 3] for Israel to extend its moratorium on settlement construction in the West Bank as a good-will gesture to move peace talks with the Palestinians forward.” U.S. Urges Israel to Extend Settlement Moratorium By HELENE COOPER September 10, 2010 NY Times Obama encourages peace talks SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

16. Failing all else, Palestinians try boycott; Peaceful West Bank protest is the latest effort in the protracted struggle to end occupation, gain statehood An insufferable situation “We are definitely committed to a path of nonviolent resistance and defiance in the face of the settlement enterprise, and we are defiantly expressing our right to boycott those products and I believe it is working.” -Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad Janine Zacharia. (2010, May 16). Failing all else, Palestinians try boycott; Peaceful West Bank protest is the latest effort in the protracted struggle to end occupation, gain statehood. The Washington Post,p. A.10. Retrieved September 16, 2010, from US National Newspapers. (Document ID: 2034208181). SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

17. Olympia Food Co-op removes Israeli goods from shelves The Olympia Co-op becomes the first US grocery store to publicly join the protest against human right abuse in Israel. “My hope is that by being the first in the US to adopt the boycott we act as a catalyst for other co-ops to join in. Each entity that joins may have a small effect on the big picture, but drop by drop fills the tub.” –Rob Richards (Co-op board member) Local Newspaper: “Olympia BDS” http://www.olympiabds.org/ SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

18. Olympia Food Co-op Boycotts Israeli Goods Why the Critics Are Wrong “Critics of the Olympia Food Co-op’s recent decision to boycott several Israeli products until Israel ends its inhumane occupation of Palestinian land and its suppression of Palestinian human rights have no moral or ethical basis to criticize the Food Co-op unless they can offer an alternative strategy to end Israel’s occupation. Until they do so, they are simply embracing and providing cover for the injustices of Israel’s occupation, whether they are willing to admit it or not.” Niva, S. (2010, July 26). CounterPunch. Retrieved September 10, 2010, from CounterPunch SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

19. Olympia Food Co-op begins boycott of Israeli products There is more than one side to conflict in the Middle East “This decision punishes one side in the Middle East conflict and negates any responsibility on the part of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Palestinian rejectionism. The market’s board did not invite anyone to speak on behalf of Israel’s position when it was in the process of making its decision. Its deliberate failure to be fair and open in the decision-making process goes against basic democratic principles.” -DoronYaniv, Everett Northwest Voices | Letters to the Editor Yaniv, D. (2010, July 22). Editorials/Opinion: The Seattle Times. Retrieved September 13, 2010, from The Seattle Times SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

20. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has voted to support the boycott of Israel in the first Israeli boycott resolution at a national level by a union in North America. Canadian postal workers support Israeli boycotts “At their annual national convention in Ottawa earlier this year, CUPW workers voted overwhelmingly in favor of a resolution of support for the Palestinian people's inalienable rights, including the right of return of refugees. The resolution also supports the global campaign of boycott, sanctions and disinvestment against Israeli apartheid.” "CROSS-CANADA Action FOR PROGRESSIVE SOCIAL CHANGE." Canadian Dimension 42.4 (2008): 6-7. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 17 Sept. 2010. SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

21. Israeli Report: Settler industry hurt by boycott The Palestinian authority-led boycott of settlement-produced goods is having profound economic effects on the settlement industry in Israel. "Since Palestine announced a boycott on products from the territories, I have had a 40% drop in production in recent months. exports to Europe have completely stopped and traders in territories have stopped working with us. The damage is huge." http://coteret.com/2010/08/26/yediot-reports-on-damage-to-settlement-industry-caused-by-targeted-boycott/ Remez, Didi, August 26th, 2010 SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

22. Romans Sack Jerusalem!Roman Empire scatters Jews and renames their land Palestine “Jerusalem became officially off limits to all Jews, and the country was ironically renamed Palestine, after the ancient Philistines, arch-enemies of the early Israelites.” - James Fieser & John Powers Scriptures of the World's Religions Copyright 2008 photo: therablog.blogspot.com SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

23. Buycott Israel! Campaign to Counter BDS In reaction to the BDS, the Buycott Israel campaign was launched. StandWithUs is a movement promoting Israeli goods, that is an effective and peaceful response to the anti-Israeli boycott, divestment, and sanctions, StandWithUs executive director Roz Rothstein says that, “This is a movement to counter BDS with positive energy.” "Campaign to buy Israeli goods is launched." JTA: The Global News Service of the Jewish People. JTA, August 29, 2010 . Web. 15 Sep 2010. SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

24. Desmond Tutu backs U.S. food co-op boycott of Israeli products South African Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu issues statement of support for boycott announced by food co-op in Rachel Corrie’s hometown of Olympia, Washington. ‘“The Olympia Food Co-op has joined a growing worldwide movement on the part of citizens and the private sector to support by non-violent tangible acts the Palestinian struggle for justice and self-determination.’ Tutu said.” Mozgovaya, Natasha. "Desmond Tutu Backs U.S. Food Co-op Boycott of Israeli Products." The Haaretz Daily Newspaper [Israel] 28 July 2010. Web SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

25. In her controversial work, Kathleen Christison, author of Perceptions of Palestine: Their Influence on U.S. Middle East Policy, blames Zionist U.S. propaganda for a skewed perception of Palestinians and its heavy influence on Middle East policy. She says, “If public discourse had not been warped, policy might have been quite different.” Kathleen Christison. Perceptions of Palestine: Their Influence on U.S. Policy. University of California Press . 15-17. (1999) U.S. may be impeding Israeli-Palestinian peace talks Olympia Food Co-op’s decision to boycott Israeli-made products and activism like it are increasing in the United States as citizens are begin to see a Palestinian perspective on the conflict in the Holy Land. SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

26. co-op Protests it’s own Boycott YohannaKinberg, the associate rabbi of Temple Bnai Torah in Bellevue, Washington is a member of the Olympia Food Co-op along with her husband. They both are against the Board of Directors decision and takes matters into their own hands. Kinberg said, she protested the board’s boycott decision with a lone vigil outside one store on July 21. After posting news of the boycott vote on Facebook, she was joined the next two days by larger groups numbering about 20. She said that demonstrations against the boycott have continued daily since then.The focus of the organizing effort right now is to focus on the bad process of the co-op board and not make this a referendum on Israel. The pro boycott people are not people you can argue with. Paul Haist,”The Jewish Review”, 15th of September 2010 7th of Tishrei, 5771 SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

27. Olympia co-op boycott debate cordial, passionate Olympia August 14th, 2010—Nearly 300 people pack the Olympia center Thursday night for a heat-filled debate about the controversial decision made by the board of the Olympia food co-op to boycott Israeli-made products. One by one, board members introduced themselves to the audience, but only board member Ron Lavigne spoke at length, saying the board understood its decision would be controversial but was there ‘to address the hurt and anger and to try and heal the community.’ Rolf, Boone. “Olympia co-op boycott debate cordial, passionate” The Bellingham Herald. 14 Aug. 2010 SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

28. One piece of product stays, “Peace Oil” The Olympia Food Co-op Board of Directors has decided to boycott Israeli goods at their two locations in Olympia, Washington. Well, Not exactly. The Olympia food Co-op has not boycotted everything. “One Israeli product is exempt from the boycott: ’Peace Oil,’ a brand of olive oil fairly traded from Palestinian farmers in the West Bank and the Galilee, will continue to be carried by the Co-op.” Kasama July 24th, 2010 Tellnolies.org SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

29. Still Struggling, Israel and Palestine Their [Jewish and Palestinian people] internecine struggle, the overidentification of their expatriate communities with one side or the other , and the alignment of rival international interests have intensified their conflict to the point that they have not been able to create and live out their two narratives as linked by anything other than mutual hostility. Their histories have always been written as an apologia for one side or the other, with heavy emphasis on the tragedy of one at the hands of the other, and not as an indivisible world historical phenomenon in which they are both swept up. Stephen P. Cohen, “Beyond America’s Grasp: A century of failed diplomacy in the middle east” 2009, print. P. 175 Two Jewish men praying at wall. SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

30. First U.S. Store to Boycott! As tensions mount, board members explain why they chose to boycott. “My hope is that by being the first in the US to adopt the boycott we act as a catalyst for other co-ops to join in. Each additional organizational entity that joins may have a very small effect on the big picture, but drop by drop fills the tub,” says board member Rob Richards of the OCF boycott. -HaithamSabbah, “Catbird Seat” July 21, 2010 SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

31. Two choices – Peace, or Endless War Peace is Israel’s highest aspiration and a necessary condition for its secure existence. “Two peoples live in the Land of Israel – the Jewish people and the Arab-Palestinian people. Both have natural and historical rights to this land. Therefore, the alternatives are clear: either compromise and partition, or endless war.” Lukacs, Yehuda. "Review of Documents on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, 1967-1983." The American Political Science Review. 79.4 (1985): 1275. Print. p. 283 SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

32. Group Forms to Oppose BoycottIts Our Co Op formed with goal of rescinding co op's boycott “If you would like to speak out against the boycott, and I hope you will, but you're also interested in being part of a united voice, I hope you'll join our group. … Please send an email to its.our.coop@gmail.com...” - David Scherer Water Olympia Power & Light Issue #19 Letters section SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

33. Food Co-op in Rachel Corrie’s hometown boycotts Israeli goods The Olympia Food Co-op announced last week that no more Israeli products will be sold at its two grocery stores. "The fact that it is the home town of Rachel Corrie’s parents and that it is represented by Rep Brian Baird (who has been to Gaza and is outspoken against Israel) makes this ripe for issues," said Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi of The Israel Project, a pro-Israel organization. Mozgovaya, Natasha. "Food Co-op in Rachel Corrie's Hometown Boycotts Israeli Goods." The Haaretz Daily Newspaper. 20 July 2010. Web. 14 Sept. 2010. SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010

34. Against Boycott and Divestment "Punishing Israel's most progressive elements will not help to end the occupation" "The idea that precipitating Israeli economic collapse will somehow hasten a democratic outcome is like blockading Gaza to sink Hamas." Avishai, Bernard. “Against Boycott and Divestment” The Nation 5 Jul. 2010 SMU Digital Journalism Class Explores Controversy: September Project 2010