For years, we have reported on and urged action against academic boycotts of Israel in the United Kingdom. Now we are troubled to report that the latest assault on Israel has jumped across the Atlantic and has targeted the American store Costco.
According to these anti-Semites, Costco is guilty of selling Israeli grown clementines. The boycott has a home on the Web and it has volunteers recruiting and instructing people on what they can do to encourage Costco to stop the sale of Israeli goods. Below is the body of a mass circulating e-mail which offers advise on who to contact at Costco:
Friends,
Such a simple action! I called 425-313-8100 and spoke with Mark DeCosta in produce. I told him that I was calling because I saw that Costco was selling clementines from Israel. I explained very politely that there is an international boycott against Israeli products because of the ongoing genocide there. I mentioned the attack on Gaza a year ago, that 1,400 people were killed there, and that Israel restricts food, electricity and drinking water. Mark was very receptive, and said he would pass the message o the buyer in California, and also gave me her number. I’ll call her tomorrow and would be happy to hear that other folks might do the same.
Buyer: Pat Burlinguette
925-456-7208
Do not underestimate the consequences if a boycott like this has any success. If friends of Israel do not let Costco know that they support the sale of Israel it would not be a surprise if the company decides to forgo selling Israeli products.
We need to contact Costco and let them know that we will shop there because they sell Israeli products. When I told my wife about the boycott, she immediately responded that she was getting a Costco membership and she will buy the clementines “Even though I don’t like clementines. ”
Information about contacting Costco can be found HERE.
This boycott is part of an international cultural and academic boycott of Israel.
We must do all that we can to help Israel fight back.
Costco Targeted for Selling Israeli Products Elliot Zwiebach, Supermarket News 18 March 2010 ISSAQUAH, Washington, USA. — Appeals are being sent out via the Internet urging consumers to boycott Costco Wholesale Corp. here for selling Israeli products, including clementines, a variety of mandarin orange. Costco Wholesale The emails say there is an international boycott against Israeli products because of alleged genocide last year in the Gaza Strip region. Pro-Israel groups are responding by urging Americans to support the sale of Israeli goods at Costco. A Costco executive told SN Thursday that it has moved with the season and is now… Read more »
First of all, Israel produce could be a problem for Kosher consumers but It’s good for Israel’s economy to export and Jews are not Costco’s only customers so we have to encourage Costco to carry it.
Secondly, Benoliel is a good Jewish Moroccan name so Joel is one of us which helps explain his New Year’s wishes.
Costco is a good and fun place to shop so as long as we patronize the place they will continue to try to please.
This is a quote from a top executive at COSTCO—Joel Benoliel. “The so-called boycott of Costco by the anti-Israel people is completely ineffective and largely a creation of the blogosphere. We have never made any of our buying decisions in response to political pressure. We source goods from all over the world, and so long as they are legal to import into the US, we are not influenced by outside pressures. As far as Kosher products are concerned, it varies by region. If you are in the Northeast or in some other areas of the country, you will see an… Read more »
OMGOING GENIOCIDE!?!?? They bomb innocent ppl and were wrong?? CUT OFF SUPPLIES?!?!! we send them food!!!!!
what am i supposed to write or tell them? why they should keep the israeli product?
Wow…Number 14 got a “happy new year”?!?! these guys are really mentschen!!!
I called Craig Jelinek’s (the president) office and his assistant told me that the best person to call is Douglas W. Schutt Executive Vice President in Charge of Merchandising. His executive assistant’s name is Mary Richardson and her number is #425-427-7471. Good Luck!
I just spoke with Costco and they are most definitely NOT boycotting Israel. They said that it is there pleasure to have Israeli products and see Kosher food.
Happy Rosh Hashana!
just called & they said most people are telling them that they don care about country of origin, only quality of the good being sold. just keep on calling.
she said Costco does NOT work like that…no wworries (I hope…)
Sent off letter to costco!
just called and they really appreciated it!
for not telling once and for all the truth ; israel belongs to the jews because g-d gave it to them with ALL the teritories and that it!!!!!!!!!!
Costco, just ignore the anti semites. Israel is an asset to the whole world!!!!!
Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky knows Richard Galanti also Rabbi Berry Farkash from Chabad of Issaquah is the shliach where Costco is headquartered you probably should contact them before you start bombarding their corporate offices and officers.
I sent an email to the above mentioned email addresses and received a replay within a half an hour. Here is a copy of the text from the email. Dear Shimon: The so-called boycott of Costco by the anti-Israel people is completely ineffective and largely a creation of the blogosphere. We have never made any of our buying decisions in response to political pressure. We source goods from all over the world, and so long as they are legal to import into the US, we are not influenced by outside pressures. As far as Kosher products are concerned, it varies… Read more »
I emailing these head honchos…Let’s praise Costco for all their efforts to reach out to the Kosher community!!
but what do i say ?
I shop at Costco solely because it has international products, especially ISRAELI PRODUCTS.
In the USA we know we can usually purchase anything that grows without any Hechsher and we look for a Hechsher only on processed foods.
Anyone who has been to Israel knows that In Israel everyone who purchases produce looks for a Hechsher.
There can be many Shaalos and anyone purchasing produce from Israel must know who gives the Hechsher on this fruit or it can’t be used.
How did you get those numbers? Those are the heads of Costco!!
Please help distribute this information by email and by posting to other sites.
Craig Jelinek
Director, President and Chief Operating Officer
Costco Wholesale Corporation
Issaquah , WA
+1.425.313.8301
cjelinek@costco.com
Dick Dicerchio
SEVP and Chief Operating Officer, Global Operations
Costco
+1.425.313.8100
ddicerchio@costco.com
Richard Galanti
Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer Costco
+1.425.313.8203
rgalanti@costco.com
isnt there a question regarding produce from israel?
I know a lot of costcos have full on Kosher sections with Cholov yisroel Cheese, Tnuvah, Sabra Chumus etc, glatt meets, Pas Yisroel Baked Goods….I think everyone should call but more so, go to costco (there’s one about 15 mins from CH) and buy some good stuff at bulk prices…that’s the best way for them to know that we support them..kinda like the shliach did in that store in brooklyn Heights
Mark DeCosta 425-313-8100 ext 8733
Clementines from Israel may pose a halachik problem – Ma’aser… Check with a Rav or otherwise before purchasing.
I’ll definitely contact them bli neder.
But between us, remember that produce from Israel has issues of shmitta, trumos, & orlah!
Contact info:
http://shop.costco.com/customer-service/contact-us
I found it by clicking on the xxxx
Please provide the information ASAPto contact Costco in support of Israel so that all who read your article don’t lose the momentum.