The BDS Movement is calling on its members to pressure nine famous chefs from around the world to cancel their participation in Israel’s Round Tables American Express culinary show. These chefs, many of them Michelin star winners, will take over the kitchens of top Tel Aviv chefs for a week, offering a prix fixe tasting menu.
Round Tables is the brainchild of Israeli restaurateur, Yair Bakier. According to the event website, the initiative is “first and foremost a cultural project, a member in the world-wide ‘Gasrto-diplomacy’ movement which aspires to improve trade and cultural relations between countries.
“In November 2015 the most talked about restaurants in the world, from New York, London, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Rome and Athens, those that locals love and critic’s rave about– will pack their chefs [off], for an entire week, [and they] will take over the kitchens of the best restaurants in Tel Aviv.
“Each and every restaurant will cook a winning tasting menu, according to its style and signature dishes, and will add a pinch of flavor inspired by the local chef.”
The primary sponsor of the event is American Express, in cooperation with the Tel Aviv Municipality, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Golan Heights Winery, Argel, Herods Tel Aviv Hotel, Cadillac, Culiz.market.
The BDS Movement is calling on supporters to protest “this complicit initiative that whitewashes Israel’s oppression of Palestinians,” by posting messages and memes on the participating chefs’ Twitter and Facebook pages with the hashtag #ApartheidRoundTables.
In its Action Alert, The BDS Movement also expressed support for the Palestinian terrorists who have been attacking Israelis in recent weeks, saying, “The initiative is even more tasteless as it comes on the heels of brutal Israeli repression against Palestinians protesting for their rights and freedom in the Occupied Territories and inside Israel.”
By: Sara Abramowicz, United with Israel