Berkeley Peace and Justice Commissioner Hatem Bazian has issued a call-out on his Facebook page to boycott Trader Joe's for daring to stock Israeli feta cheese.
Hatem writes:
"Trader Joe's is having Israeli Feta on its shelves! One more reason to stop shopping at the store. "
Hatem has tagged a short list of friends and colleagues to help promote the boycott of the beloved Trader Joe's grocery chain.
Hatem may not remember the 2009 BDS action against Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's refused to be bullied and promoted the products with floor to ceiling displays. Consumers followed with a "buycott' that ultimately lead to Israeli products sold out from stores coast to coast. In their zeal to be supportive, people bought cases of Israeli couscous. They began asking "what is this small grain and what do I do with it?" Shortly after, recipes began appearing in the blogsphere.It was, as they say, a BDS fail of epic proportion, and a triumph of community led-grassroots activism.
The BDS cru retreated rapidly, sipping their kombucha and plaintively whimpering for their moms.
Since 2009, Trader Joes has added many more Israeli products to their shelves.
Hatem's little Facebook post may have sparked another "run" on Trader Joe's. As of now, there are over 800 comments, on his post, with the vast majority supportive of Israel and Israeli feta.
Hatem, don't you know this by now? Never, ever get between a Jew and their food.
And as of today, there is no Israeli feta left in stock in the area. A new shipment is expected next week. Thanks Hatem, for another BDS fail feta accompli.