Meats, cheeses and sauces were removed and placed into cool storage at a Sainsbury's Local branch in Holborn as it was picketed by demonstrators calling on the grocer to boycott Israeli goods.
There followed uproar on social media as opponents of the move said many of the removed items were not actually from Israel. They also pointed out the distinction between Israeli exports and kosher dietary goods.
GIVES IN TO FEAR: UK supermarket, Sainsbury, REMOVES kosher food, fearing protesters http://t.co/6dGomqTCWv#tcotpic.twitter.com/17w3pejwU5Despite the Sainsbury family's Jewish ancestry, the supermarket was accused of anti-Semitism for its actions. Sainsbury's insisted the decision was taken to protect the food from damage. However, one opponent made a formal complaint against the grocer.
- slone (@slone) August 18, 2014
Comment: "Those of us who dare to criticize Israel's centrality in American life are at a real disadvantage. We are disgusted by what we see, but contemporary protocol requires us to show respect and tolerance to the very people who inspire the disgust in the first place. Worse still, our tormentors have no reciprocal obligation for civility. The deck of cards in this dispute is stacked. Saying the wrong word, uttering an incorrect phrase, and one can be tarred as a disreputable 'Anti-Semite', which has become the scarlet letter of our time.
Have Jews been mistreated, shunned, defamed and killed? Certainly. Have Jews done the same? Most definitely."
The virtue & necessity of deconstructing 'anti-semitism'