BDS has been trying, unsuccessfully, to pressure the Woolworths chain to drop Israeli products. Woolworths intends to fight back.
The Woolworths international retail chain has been under attack in recent months by Palestinian groups and the Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) anti-Israel movement for selling of products made in Israel. It has been the target of more than 40 protests at its various chains in South Africa .
The Algemeiner reports that scuffles broke out at a Woolworths store in the South African city of Johannesburg at the end of September, after BDS activists staged a protest over the stocking of Israeli goods. Activists brandishing pro-Palestinian banners rushed into the store, chanting “Free Palestine, boycott Woolworths.” The store closed its doors temporarily as a result of the chaos.
Fighting Back
Woolworths has decided not to cave in to the pressure and is even considering fighting back with legal action.
“Our employees, of all faiths and cultures, are telling us that they are feeling increasingly threatened by the protests. What’s more, the families of our employees have reported being abused and sworn at by BDS,” Babs Dlamini, Woolworths’ spokesman, told TimesLive this week. “If this continues, we will consider taking further precautions, including legal action against the individuals involved.”
Diamini further stated for TimesLive that just as BDS had the right to protest, the group’s employees had the right to work and its customers had the right to shop without being intimidated.
BDS activists, on their part, have vowed to intensify their activities against Woolworths. “For now, Woolworths is our target. They are making a grave mistake by ignoring us,” threatened BDS activist Mohammed Desai.
The Real Goal
The BDS movement is globally active against Israel, using political pressure, scare tactics and violence as a means to punish Israel for it so-called “occupation of Palestine.” Their actual final objective, as stated by their leaders, is to bring to an end to the existence of the State of Israel.
Author: Aryeh Savir
Staff Writer, United with Israel