Voting away boycotts

Editorial

While local campuses continue to see anti-Israel activity, such as a panel discussion at Simon Fraser University last month purporting that Gaza is a “concentration camp” and a successful attempt at the University of British Columbia to donate $700 of student fees to the Canadian Boat to Gaza, broader attempts to foment revolution seem to be fizzling.

Worldwide, this year’s Israel Apartheid Week hatefest – which occurred very quietly if at all this year in British Columbia – focused on boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel. However, with the exception of Olympia, Wash., hometown of Rachael Corrie, there has been spectacularly little success at getting anyone to boycott anything. On the contrary, counter-campaigns, like the BUYcott strategy used by Canadian Zionists, have probably made many retailers wish someone would call a boycott against them.

Closer to home, Mountain Equipment Coop, which is a member-owned cooperative venture and an admirable example of innovative business models, was subject two years ago to an attempt to alter its ethical sourcing policy to prevent it from carrying a number of Israeli-made products. The attempt failed, but not without a fight. While there is no indication of a concerted effort to manipulate MEC’s policies at this year’s annual general meeting, the board elections now underway are the scene of conflict for and against boycotting Israeli products. This year, anti-Israel groups are urging their members to vote for Dru Oja Jay. There are at least three candidates who oppose any attempt at boycotting Israeli products: they are Bill Gibson, Morrie Schneiderman and Shauna Sylvester. So, if you support Israel and you’ve got a MEC vote, the choice is clear. Don’t let apathy win the day.

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