Scotch Whisky Counter-Boycott on IDF Radio

Imagine my surprise when a friend called me up this morning to say that IDF Radio, Galei Tzahal would be discussing the Scotch Whisky Counter-Boycott on the popular "Razi Barkai" radio show today. How strange, that none of the show's investigators even bothered to email me for comment (considering the Muqata Blog initiated the counter boycott!), as opposed to all the other serious news outlets that did contact me (ranging from the Jerusalem Post to Scottish TV).

Barkai interviewed Rabbi Andy Sacks from Israel's Masorti movement, and Sacks blew his opportunity to bring redemption to the world. It is written in Pirkei Avot, the "Ethics of Our Fathers" that whoever quotes in the name of its originator, they bring redemption to the world.

Unfortunately, Rabbi Sacks didn't mention who started the counter-boycott, or mention the Muqata Blog which started it all.

A brief listing of articles about the counter-boycott:

Initial Boycott Posting
http://muqata.blogspot.com/p/official-scotch-whisky-counter-boycott.html

Followup:
http://muqata.blogspot.com/2011/06/whisky-counter-boycott-update-1.html

Official Condemnation by the Scottish Government of Boycotts of Israel:
http://muqata.blogspot.com/2011/06/whisky-counter-boycott-scores.html

Jerusalem Post: Kiddush clubs declare boycott on Scottish whiskey
http://www.jpost.com/JewishWorld/JewishNews/Article.aspx?id=224596

Jewish Chronicle (England): Scottish whisky hit by boycott threat
http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/50320/scottish-whisky-hit-boycott-threat

Commentary Magazine: Fed Up With Scotch Boycotts of Israel? Boycott Their Whiskey.
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2011/06/12/fed-up-with-scotch-boycotts-of-israel-boycott-their-whiskey/

5 Towns Jewish Times: Scotch, Israel and the Men's Club Ban
http://www.5tjt.com/featured-news/10724-scotch-israel-and-the-mens-club-ban

JTA: Whiskey boycott urged in reponse to Scottish council’s anti-Israel effort
http://www.jta.org/news/article/2011/06/13/3088122/whiskey-boycott-urged-to-avenge-scottish-councils-anti-israel-effort

The Five Towns: Conservative Kiddush Clubs Declare Boycott on Scottish Whiskey
http://www.thefivetowns.info/news-latest/18087-conservative-kiddush-clubs-declare-boycott-on-scottish-whiskey.html

Dumbarton Report: (Scotland) Boycott on whisky
http://www.dumbartonreporter.co.uk/news/dumbarton/articles/2011/06/14/414309--boycott-on-whisky/

Australian Jewish News: Council Be Damned
http://www.jewishnews.net.au/council-be-drammed/21462

After his interview, the importer for Chivas Brothers in Israel had rebuttal time, and fell into the trap perfectly. All he could say is that Chivas is a blend of whisky which comes from all over Scotland...so he was trying to get Chivas "off" the counter-boycott list through a technicality...even though in reality, its bottled in West Dunbartonshire, where the the evil regional council is boycotting our true blue and white, Israeli products.

Despite my quibble with Rabbi Sacks' failure to note the Muqata Blog during his interview, I will say this unequivocally:

Kudos to Rabbi Sacks. I'm embarrassed that leadership from the Orthodox stream doesn't have the guts to come out and make a pro-Israel statement on a counter-whisky boycott, such as that of Rabbi Sacks.

When reported in the 5 Towns Jewish Times, the reactions from the Orthodox leadership were uber-pareve at best, to say the least.

How is the local Jewish community reacting to the counter-boycott?

“Anything that is done in the interest of Israel should always be checked with the government of Israel, said Rabbi Hershel Billet, rabbi of the Young Israel of Woodmere. “If they do not agree with it, then it is pointless. It should not be a unilateral decision made by individuals alone.”

Rabbi Kenneth Hain of Beth Sholom said, “This has been rather precipitous and has gone viral; we should be very careful before we start boycotting. We should not be flippant about it. People who are engaged in the serious advocacy for Israel should be consulted.”

“Unless the religious Jewish organizations come out for this boycott, I will not join,” remarked a retired public school teacher who davens locally. “I take my cue from them. If we were to boycott every single country that has harmed the Jews we would be sitting in a hovel dressed in rags.” (5 Towns Jewish Times)

Thankfully, dozens and dozens of Orthodox lay-people have contacted me that they are proudly counter-boycotting the whiskys from the list, even though their leadership remains timidly quiet.

The BDS movement is out to destroy Israel through boycotts of Israel, divestment from Israeli companies, sanctions against Israel, and bans on Israeli Universities.

And yet, the voice of Orthodox leadership is too timid to loudly claim, enough!

And not even to boycott Scotch Whisky from West Dunbartonshire?!

Shame on you!

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The Anti-Boycott Bill

Israel passed an important bill today that calls for sanctions against those who declare economic, cultural or academic boycotts against the state of Israel, its institutions or any area under its control because of their connection to Israel. That boycott would be a civil offense and subject to litigation.

The bill passed 47-38.

As the Muqata’s recent successful counter-boycott of Scottish Whisky (in response to the anti-Semitic Scottish West Dunbartonshire council’s boycott of Israeli books) proved, taking a proactive stance against these boycotts and the BDS movement works.

The authors clearly had in mind the BDS movement, the PA boycott, the Scottish West Dunbartonshire boycott, and the 20 Israeli companies that signed boycott agreements with the PA.

I believe this is the final wording of the bill (and a translated version is here). What is clear is that it is solely in reference to those who would do this to harm Israel (not the Cottage Cheese boycott for instance).

But as usual, the suicidal Left is frothing at the mouth, muttering inanities in their attempt to disarm Israel’s right and ability to defend itself. And of course hoping you won't read the bill to see what it actually says.


Here are some recent statements made by those acolytes of self-destruction:

MK Eitan Cabel (Labor) called the bill "a cowardly law," and "another law in a series of fascist laws drafted by the government."

Kadima statement: He [Netanyahu] has crossed a red line of stupidity and national irresponsibility… The boycott bill is a mark of disgrace for Netanyahu's government and the State of Israel and its citizens will pay for it dearly.

Knesset Member Ilan Gilon (Meretz), "I know of nothing that causes more de-legitimization for Israel abroad than these acts of legislation".

MK Shai Hermesh (Kadima) said the bill harms basic rights.

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel called it "an antidemocratic step, intended to create a chilling effect on civil society."

Adalah – the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, said it would appeal the law to the High Court and ask that it be annulled. They claim the bill violates international law and the laws of torts.


As far as I know, until yesterday every single Western country in the world, except for two, has laws making participation in boycotts against Israel illegal. Today, the UK stands alone in dishonor with no anti-boycott law on the books.

For example, since 1976, it has been illegal for any US citizen to participate in the Arab boycott against Israel – punishable by fines of up to $50,000 or five times the value of the exports involved or jail term of up to 10 years.

The definition of participation includes:

• Agreements to refuse or actual refusal to do business with or in Israel or with blacklisted companies.
• Agreements to discriminate or actual discrimination against other persons based on race, religion, sex, national origin or nationality.
• Agreements to furnish or actual furnishing of information about business relationships with or in Israel or with blacklisted companies.
• Agreements to furnish or actual furnishing of information about the race, religion, sex, or national origin of another person.

Where have Eitan Cabel and Ilan Gilon been? Why aren’t they ranting and raving against the United States for their similar "anti-democratic laws" that happens to try to protect Israel from boycotts?


Wasn’t it just the other day the Left were attacking some anonymous video editor who used his right to free speech to juxtapose the brutal beatings of religious Jews by the police to that of images of storm troopers doing the same? Unless the Left hypocritically were supporting some law that limited free speech, while ignoring unquestionable brutality.

And here we have a law that calls for civil penalties for those that effect an embargo against Israeli products because they are Israeli, and the Left are saying it impinges on basic freedoms.

What a bunch of sick hypocrites.


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