You didn’t think it was possible for Israel to boycott itself, did you? But a Tel Aviv bar, organized by an anarchist collective, refuses to serve anyone in IDF uniform and refuses to stock products made in the Territories:
A new vegan bar opened last week in Tel Aviv that bans Israel Defense Forces soldiers in uniform and boycotts products made in West Bank settlements.
The Rogatka (Hebrew)- “slingshot” – bar was opened by an “anarchist collective” who once ran the Salon Mazal bar; it is located on Yitzhak Sadeh street in central Tel Aviv.
The new ideologically-devoted bar will not seek to make a profit, and the founders say they hope it will bring together left-wing activists, environmentalists, and other fellow travelers, under the banner of cheap drinks and fair trade products.
The bar’s ban on soldiers in uniform and the carrying of weapons, along with its boycott on products made in the settlements, derive from what employees see as the connection between all forms of oppression, from the slaughter of animals to sexism to occupation.
…”We wanted to show it’s possible and even worthwhile to live differently,” [Adi] Vinter added.
Though one might argue that this business isn’t going to make a big difference in destroying the Occupation, I give them a ton of credit for their moxie. Someone’s got to show the way. May other’s follow suit. H/t Rupa Shah.
Silverstein has published Tikun Olam since 2003, It exposes the secrets of the Israeli national security state. He lives in Seattle, but his heart is in the east. He publishes regularly at Middle East Eye, the New Arab, and Jacobin Magazine. His work has also appeared in Al Jazeera English, The Nation, Truthout and other outlets.
Do you support their refusal to serve soldiers in IDF uniforms? IF you do then please explain to me why you say Rav Wolpe should be tried for “sedition” when he says soldiers should not carry out orders to expel Jews from their homes. These guys are saying no one should serve in the IDF. Why isn’t that sedition?
I forgot to mention that I would ask them if they will also boycott products made on the numerous Kibbutzim of the “progressive” HaShomer HaTzair movement who are sitting on land occupied during the 1948 war which was stolen from Arabs at gun point during the war. I would also like to know where the members of this cooperative live. If any live in Yafo, Ramat Aviv, Ashdod, Ashqelon, Lod, Ramla , Beersheva or other places occuped during the 1948, then they just seem to be hypocrites, trying to shift their guilt onto the Jews in Judea/Samaria. Occupation is occupation.
You Leftists, whether in Israel or in Amerika are a vile, pernicous, cancer on a free society. You must be not only fought, but defeated, even if it means using the Chilean model.
Takes a cancer to know a cancer.
This is so funny. You ban IDF soldiers in uniforms, yet your name is violence by itself, Rogatka. Shame on Rogatka for not allowing IDF uniformed soldiers, who serve Israel. I am an eco-friendly, biotic food eater, and an American person that is progressive. Yet, I am shocked and dismayed at Rogatka’s treatment of soldiers. Shame on you!
Oh, get down off yr high horse why don’t you. Asking us to believe you are “progressive” (whatever you think that term means) is laughable. Apparently, you neglected the class lesson on “irony” when it was offered. Rogatka is a perfectly apt ironic term which appears lost on you.