Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: Flash90) Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: Flash90)
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Israeli leader outraged by First European boycott of Jewish businesses in almost 80 years. Proudly champions Israeli products as too innovative to ignore.

Addressing the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed outrage over European companies like Deutsche Bank trying to boycott the Jewish State. “That is something we are re-encountering. In the past, anti-Semites boycotted Jewish businesses and today, they call for the boycott of the Jewish state. I think it’s important that the boycotters must be exposed for what they are — they’re classical anti-Semites in modern garb. And I think we have to fight them.”

Deutsche Bank, the largest bank in Germany, has excluded Bank Hapoalim, one of the top banks in Israel, as part of its “moral investment plan.” Global investors wishing to put their money in funds that only promote growth for companies deemed “ethical” by German standards will not be able to own shares in the Israeli company. Analysts believe it is due to Bank Hapoalim’s involvement in building beyond the Green Line. Construction in Judea and Samaria has been one of the primary sources of employment for Palestinian Arabs, and a source of tax revenue for the Palestinian Authority.

COMPANIES LIKE DEUTSCHE BANK WON’T SUCCEED

According to the Israeli leader, Europe is wasting its time. Technology changes by the hour. Where anybody can get funding from companies other than Deutsche Bank, the innovations of the Israeli high tech industry enable companies to enjoy competitive advantages not available anywhere else.  Quoting top international business leaders, Netanyahu reasserted an unbreakable demand for “the same three things: Israeli technology, Israeli technology and Israeli technology.”

Motorola, Intel, Microsoft, and Cisco have research facilities in Israel. French company Technicolor and Chinese firm Haier have also announced plans to open research offices in the Jewish State.

NO BOYCOTT FROM THE UNITED STATES

The initiatives of companies like Deutsche Bank are sensitive issues in peace negotiations. American Secretary of State John Kerry is due to present his Middle East peace plan to Jerusalem for consideration. He has hinted that if his plan isn’t accepted, Israel can expect more boycotts from Europe.

American Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro acted to allay those fears by reiterating the American position, saying, “We have opposed, do oppose and will continue to oppose efforts to delegitimize, boycott Israel.” His statements were made a day after the third largest company in America, Google, purchased Israeli security start up SlickLogin. American companies IBM, EMC, and Lockheed Martin have announced their own intentions to purchase Israeli companies, making Israeli products a part of their business.

Author: David Fink, United with Israel
Date: Feb. 18, 2014