Boycott Macy’s

We the undersigned (petition is found here) declare our discontent with the recent decision of the Macy’s corporation to unilaterally boycott Israeli based products based upon an inherently racist ideology promoted by radicals. We understand that the Sodastream factory, while located on contentious and disputed territory provides a unique opportunity for the Palestinian public to work in partnership with Israeli civilians.  Though the land mass is controversial, equal pay for equal work, regardless of race, ethnicity, or heritage, certainly should not be. We further assert that it is inappropriate for a corporate entity to align itself with the political dogma of an organization and an ideology that actively, and openly calls for ethnic cleansing, and vocalizes a hate- filled, and unproductive agenda.

Macy’s Corporation, following intense protests by anti-Israel activists claiming to have a human rights agenda, have removed the Sodastream product from their shelves based on the ideology that the company is oppressive to the peoples currently living in the disputed territories. In fact, the exact opposite is true.

Through multiple accounts, consisting of cooperatives including all parties, it has been evidenced that the location of the Sodastream factory in Male Adumim in the West Bank provides exceptional opportunities for the people living in the area. Through providing equal pay to all workers, regardless of any identity characteristics, and equal opportunity for professional growth, Sodastream acts as a constructive bridge towards peace, and a positive opportunity for those in the Palestinian Territories to receive a more consistent income and economic stability. Sodastream not only benefits its workers, but it serves as a model which proves that economic partnerships between the two peoples can and will result in a discussion leading to peace between Israel and Palestine.

We further assert that, in making large corporate decisions, it is crucial to separate fact from political agenda. By accepting radical left wing political pressure, Macy’s, a corporate entity, has been unduly influenced by the political goals of a group representing a biased narrative.  This movement, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign against the Jewish State of Israel, calls for the end of all partnerships with Israel, economically, educationally, and otherwise. The so-called movement does not differentiate between disputed areas and general Israeli land and seeks only to destroy the foundations of Israel as a state. The very advocates of this campaign are the same individuals who actively argue for Palestinian ‘freedom’ through the forced removal and ethnic cleansing of the Jewish people living between the Jordan river, and the Mediterranean sea in what is currently known, and internationally recognized as, the land of Israel.

By actively accepting the political pressure of this group, Macy’s has grossly disregarded the concerns of its stockholders and other involved parties. Until Macy’s commits itself to returning the Sodastream product to its shelves, thereby reversing its decision to fall victim to political pressure, we the undersigned hereby refuse patronage at any and all Macy’s owned companies.  Macy’s has allied itself with actions that are detrimental to the wellbeing of all parties involved, and have condemned the Palestinians to further job loss and economic stagnation for little or no return.

Petition Co-authored by Seth Greenwald and Alexander Gould

Edit: November 12 2014

Macy’s Corporation has as of yet neglected to release a statement asserting that the removal of the Sodastream product was one of a business and economic standpoint and not an emotional and irrational decision following undue pressure by BDS ‘activists’. We thank Macy’s for continuing to carry other Israeli made products such as Ahava, but we call upon Macy’s Corporation to release a statement explaining that the Sodastream decision was not due to BDS. Such a statement is crucial to preventing the false activists from claiming an undue ‘victory’.