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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Whisky Counter-Boycott Scores!

For all those who thought the Whisky Counter-Boycott was a bad idea -- the Scottish Government has firmly issued a statement which strongly disavowed the West Dunbartonshire Council's boycott of Israel.

A little more pressure and the West Dunbartonshire Council will crumble and rescind their boycott of Israel!

Thanks to all those across the globe for making this happen!

Regards,

Jameel

Scottish gov't disavows Israeli boycott

ADAM KREDO

Many Jewish Scotch drinkers were drunk with anger -- almost to the point of vomiting -- when a small village in Scotland enacted a ban on Israeli-made goods last year.

The town, West Dunbartonshire, is home to many distilleries that produce a brand of booze considered sacred by many alcohol-guzzling Jews: Scotch whisky.

But when the West Dubartonshire Council passed a motion to boycott all Israeli goods in 2009, Jewish activists responded with a counter-boycott. As much as it pained their palettes, Jewish Scotch enthusiasts put an embargo on all whisky products originating from distilleries in West Durbantonshire. (This reporter, however, kept his bottle open, and imbibed with pleasure.)

Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), not a Jew, was one of the few in Congress to take this issue seriously (which is a good thing). Kirk quickly realized that while the Scots may be perpetually sloshed, those in the West Durbantonshire Council were demonizing Israel in a serious way.

"The Scottish Government and the Scottish National Party have a responsibility to speak out against attempts to delegitimize and castigate a fellow democracy and strong Scottish ally like Israel," Senator Kirk said in a statement.

Kirk demanded that the Scottish Government take a stand: Are they on board with the local council's anti-Israel boycott?

When a powerful lawmaker like Kirk demands answers, he soon gets them: The Scottish Government and the Scottish National Party today strongly disavowed the West Dunbartonshire Council's boycott of Israel (via the British embassy).

Kirk praised the move.

"I welcome the Scottish Government's decision to disavow the West Dunbartonshire Council's boycott of Israel and urge the First Minister to take further steps to reaffirm the Scottish-Israeli relationship," he said in the statement. (Washington Jewish Week)

Score ONE against the BDS movement!


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Scottish Paper on Whisky Counter Boycott

Finally! After more than a week of ignoring the global Whisky counter boycott, the newspapers in West Dunbartonshire are informing their residents of the news.

"ANGRY Israeli nationals have launched a counter-boycott against Scotch Whisky companies, including Dumbarton's Chivas Brothers.

The move was arranged by a group of online bloggers in response to West Dunbartonshire Council's (WDC) decision to ban the importation of any goods manufactured or produced in the Middle-eastern state." (Dumbarton Reporter)

The Dumbarton Reporter thinks the counter boycott is limited to Israel? Haven't they been following the news? This is a HUGE, GLOBAL boycott...with tens of thousands of participants!
The West Dunbartonshire Council is simply a pack of morons. Here's what their spokesman had to say;

But a spokesman for WDC hit back at the latest move saying: "The boycott on the purchase of Israeli goods was a decision taken unanimously by West Dunbartonshire councillors in January 2009 in an attempt to highlight the Israeli state's unacceptable use of force in the Occupied Territories. The recent coverage of this decision has been utterly sensationalist, with reports of a ban on Israeli books in our libraries nothing more than a fabrication by mischievous sections of the media.

Actually, the whisky counter-boycott specifically mentions the unanimous decision of the WDC, and my letter of protest iniating the boycott clearly relates to their malicous claims of the "Israeli state's unacceptable use of force in the Occupied Territories."

I guess knowing how to read isn't a qualification for the West Dunbartonshire Council's spokesman.

"These articles have incited complaints, many of them unsavoury, from people who don't know the facts.

Yes, we are complaining that the WDC initiated a one-sided, immoral boycott against the only democracy in the Middle East, without any mention whatsoever of the brutal Palestinian terrorism against Israel's civilian population.

Once again, its the WDC that doesn't know that facts...and is in fact, rather clueless.

"The latest of these is the threat of a counter-boycott. We appreciate the concerns of local business and recognise their importance to the economy of West Dunbartonshire. We have asked to be kept informed of any impact on sales in the coming weeks and months to determine the credibility of these threats."

He added: "The council unreservedly stands behind its decision on the boycott and the fact Stirling Council has taken the same stance, and councillors in Dundee are keen to follow suit clearly shows we do not stand alone on this issue."

Ooops.

I guess the Dundee Council voting against the resolution 24-2 shows the WDC does indeed, stand alone on the issue.

Please don't confuse the WDC with the facts...it could upset their anti-Semitism.

Keep on writing the Distillers of West Dunbartonshire!

Keep the counter-boycott going strong!


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Whisky Counter-Boycott Update #1

Tuesday, June 14 Global Whisky Counter-boycott
Update #1

The Global Whisky Counter-boycott is directed at the West Dunbartonshire Council in Scotland, which is boycotting Israel. Their boycott which extends to all products from Israel includes a ban on all Israeli books.

That has not stopped them from purchasing "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" and Mein Kampf, in the name of "free speech". (link)

West Dunbartonshire Council member, Jim Bollan, (Scottish Socialist Party) who is spearheading the anti-Israel boycott has come out publicly in defense of the Palestinian murderers of the Fogel family, in which the murderers expressed no regret for their heinous and brutal terrorism.

Udi and Ruth Fogel and three of their children were murdered, and the youngest victim, three month old Hadas, was decapitated by the friends of West Dunbartonshire Council member, Jim Bollan. (link)

The counter-boycott of Whiskys distilled OR bottled in the West Dunbartonshire Council Region of Scotland is extremely important as 10 other Scottish councils are considering similar, anti-semitic and anti-Israel boycotts -- the success of the current counter boycott will act as a deterrant against other Scottish Councils. Email the bottlers and distillers of whiskys in the West Dunbartonshire Council Region and let them know your outrage at the antisemitic and anti-Zionist boycott...and that you cannot sit by idly while Israel is maligned by West Dunbartonshire Council.

1. Kudos to the JPost for their excellent article about the counter boycott, which is gaining popularity around the globe. "Kiddush clubs declare boycott on Scottish whiskey" (link). Many newspapers have picked this up as well...The Forward...and organizations as well CiF Watch, etc.
2. Letters Received from the Distillers:

Dear Jameel,

We have received your email regarding West Dunbartonshire Council’s boycott of Israeli products and your views on this decision. Neither Morrison Bowmore Distillery nor Auchentoshan take any political stance and this policy has been made independently from us and without our consultation.

Auchentoshan has invested significantly in working with its many friends and supporters around the world, including the Jewish community and the Kosher London Beth Din, where we recently certified our Auchentoshan Classic as a Kosher Single Malt Whisky.

As a business we recognise the concerns you have expressed regarding this policy. We are forwarding your email and separately writing to the West Dunbartonshire Council to ensure it is made fully aware of the potential implications of its policy.

As a valued friend of Auchentoshan we would very much appreciate your
continued support.

Kind regards,

Kirsteen

KIRSTEEN BEESTON
Head of Brands Marketing
Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd

------

Thank you for contacting Chivas Brothers and its sister company, Pernod Ricard USA, regarding the attributed decision of The West Dunbartonshire Council in Scotland to participate in the BDS campaign (Boycott-Divestment-Sanctions) against Israel.

Please be assured that the West Dunbartonshire Council does not represent the views of Chivas Brothers and Pernod Ricard USA.

Pernod Ricard USA is a long and proud supporter of several leading Jewish causes, including the UJA Federation of New York, which has worked for decades to improve the quality of life for millions of Israelis.

While some Chivas Brothers brands are bottled in Dumbarton, none of its whiskies are distilled in this region and both The Glenlivet and Chivas Regal are bottled at their site in Paisley and not Dumbarton.

Thanks for sharing your concerns with us and we hope that this makes it clear that Chivas Brothers is not associated with the views attributed to the West Dunbartonshire Council. We will be passing on any correspondence on this subject to West Dunbartonshire council so they are fully aware of the potential implications of their policy.”

Catherine SERVIER
PA to Denis FIEVET
VP Investor relations
12 Place des Etats Unis
75016 PARIS
T: +33 1 41 00 41 71
F: +33 1 41 00 42 32

3. Whisky Updates

For the sake of accuracy, the following list is based on the reports of expert Whiskys afficinados living in Scotland who are extremely familiar with the Whiskys in West Dunbartonshire.

This is the most up to date and accurate list as of June 14, 2011 of Whiskys Distilled OR Bottled in West Dunbartonshire.

Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd. info@morrisonbowmore.co.uk
Distillers and bottlers of:
Auchintoshan

Loch Lomond Distillery Co. Ltd mail@lochlomonddistillery.com
Distillers and bottlers of:
Loch Lomond, Scots Earl, Distillery Select, Littlemill, Croftengea, Craigslodge, Inchmurrin, Glen Douglas, Inchfad

Chivas Brothers media.relations@pernod-ricard.com
Distillers and bottlers of:
Single Malts: Glenlivet, Aberlour, Longmorn, Strathisla, Scapa, Tormore
Blends: Chivas Regal, Ballantine's, Royal Salute, Clan Campbell, 100 Pipers, Something Special, Passport
Gins: Beefeater Dry Gin, Plymouth

4. Kudos to Kiddush Clubs around the world who are joining the struggle against immoral and unethical boycotts of Israel.

Some include:

Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs - FJMC (link)
International Kiddush Club (link)
Kiddish club of the Old City of Jerusalem

If your Kiddush Club joins the counter-boycott, please let us know and we'll proudly add you to the list! Email us at muqata@gmail.com

Keep up the great work!

Jameel Rashid
The Muqata Blog
http://www.muqata.com/


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The Official Scotch Whisky Counter-Boycott

This is the official pro-Israel, counter-boycott page against Scotch Whisky, distilled in the anti-Israel region of West Dunbartonshire, Scotland.

My good friend and fellow blogger, Aussie Dave from Israellycool has been following this story since it's inception.

- Scottish Council Launches Ban On Israeli Books

- Follow Up On The Dumbies of Dunbartonshire Council

- Jim McElhill of West Dunbartonshire Council Leaving Nasty Comments

The story also appeared on my blog, and in other news sources as well.

- FURY AS COUNCIL LAUNCHES BOYCOTT ON ISRAELI BOOKS

- Scottish areas ban Israeli products

I believe its best to contact the whisky distillers directly, since the West Dunbartonshire Council of Wise Men couldn't care less what a pro-Israel, pro-liberty, person might think...but they might listen to voices of their constituents; specifically the Scotch whisky distilleries in their council's region.

You can contact them directly at:

Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd. info@morrisonbowmore.co.uk

Distillers of: Auchintoshan, Bowmore, Glen Garioch, McClelland’s

Loch Lomond Distillery Co. Ltd mail@lochlomonddistillery.com

Distillers of Loch Lomond, Scots Earl, Distillery Select, Glen Scotia, Littlemill, Croftengea, Craigslodge, Inchmurrin, Glen Douglas, Inchfad

Chivas Brothers media.relations@pernod-ricard.com

Distillers of Ballantine’s, Chivas, Royal Salute, Clan Campbell, Something Special, Passport, 100 Pipers, Imperial, Long John Aberlour, The Glenlivet, Glendronach, Strathisla, Longmorn, Scapa, Tormore, Jameson, Paddy, Powers, Walker Special Old, Wisers

This is the most current and accurate list I could procure based on the addresses of distiller's in the West Dunbartonshire Council region. Please contact me if I have omitted any whisky from this region, and I will gladly update the list.

I urge you to write to these fine distillers of whisky, and express your outrage and support of the counter-boycott. Pass this list on to your friends and neighbors. It is simply immoral for the West Dunbartonshire Council to boycott Israel.

Following is the letter I sent them today...feel free to use it in expressing your sentiments to these distillers.

Regards from Israel,

Jameel Rashid

Click here to see the letter I wrote to the distillers. It is the official landing page of the Scotch Whisky Counter Boycott.


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The Scotch Whisky Boycott

Update: This post is outdated. The updated link with all the information is here.

This is the post I wish I didn't have to write.

Areas of Scotland are now boycotting Israeli books...and products.

Two and a half years ago, shortly after Operation Cast Lead, the West Dunbartonshire Regional Council, located west of Glasgow, approved a bill that called to boycott goods produced in Israel.

According to the law, the council and all public bodies under its jurisdiction are forbidden to sell goods that originated from Israel.

Following the botched raid on the Turkish Flotilla to Gaza last May, the council expanded the boycott to include a ban on the purchase of English translations of Israeli books and the distribution of these books in public libraries throughout the council's jurisdiction.

West Dunbartonshire was joined by the large Scottish city Dundee, which decided to issue a recommendation to boycott all goods produced in Israel.

Legal advisers instructed Dundee's mayor to refrain from legally enforcing the boycott in order to avoid future lawsuits. Instead, the municipality plans to distribute posters throughout the city, calling on some 150,000 residents to refrain from buying Israeli goods, and will also apply a special mark on Israeli products, in order to make them easily identifiable. (YNET)

Its only fitting for people who believe that Israel is entitled to self defense (something Scotland obviously believes Israel isn't entitled to), that we boycott Scottish whiskys from the areas in Scotland (West Dunbartonshire, Dundee) that are boycotting Israeli products.

The whisky's I've found so far:

- Ballentine's
- Auchintoshan
- Chivas

Updated:

- Glenlivet (sigh)
- Loch Lomond (never heard of them)
- Laphroaig
- The Singleton
- Bowmore


If you find more...please let me know in the comments section. Once we have a definitive list, I will present it the Duty Free people in Ben-Gurion airport and will make the case for them to remove those whiskys from their shelves.

Boycott these whiskys, people! They don't deserve your money...though I wonder how much support they would get from Gaza.

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