Israel – Hundreds of Israelis have signed an online petition to boycott the Swedish furniture retailer IKEA, in the wake of a controversial article published in the Swedish daily Aftonbladet that suggested that Israeli soldiers “harvested” the organs of Palestinians.
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The signatories were also dismayed at the refusal of the Stockholm government to denounce the allegations under the banner of press freedom.
“In the wake of the anti-Semitic publication of a Medieval-type blood libel against IDF soldiers, and the ongoing silence of the Swedish government on the matter, it is unacceptable that we continue to support the Swedish retailer IKEA,” the petition read. “Please, don’t just sign the petition, we need real action!”
Various figures in the Israeli government have harshly criticized the article and demanded, to no avail, that the Swedish government issue a condemnation. On Sunday it emerged that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to press Stockholm for an official condemnation.
IKEA boasts more than 283 branches in 36 countries, and its business cycle in 2007 stood at 19.8 billion euros. The first store in Israel opened in Netanya in April 2001, and a second store, in Rishon Letzion, will open in early 2010.
A Web-based petition calling for a boycott of Swedish furniture chain IKEA’s Israeli branch claimed to log over 4,600 signatories on Sunday.
In response, IKEA’s local management issued a statement describing the firm as a commercial nonpolitical organization that has, and will continue to have, an excellent relationship with Israeli consumers.
Where is the web site to sign on?
Why should the owners of IKEA get the brunt off this? just b/c they happen to be Swedish? Boycott the newspaper not IKEA. Maybe we should stop eating Swedish Fish as well. No Saabs or Volvos either. No more Absolute Vodka. For the lady’s this one might be tough but no more Alprose or Torino chocolate
is ikea big in israel??
Ikea is as noted a global company unaffiliated with the publisher of the offending article. I don’t see why they should be the object of the justified frustration with the Swedish government and the newspaper that published the article.
this may backfire as Israeli companies do not want to be penalized for positions they do not control taken by Israeli governments.
I dont think that a ‘few hundred’ petioners will change any thing in Sweden.
This is hisgares buimas, you protest their dicision of being quite, fine, boycotting, is only fueling more anti semetism, and to the zionists reading this blog: we are still in gules
This is getting way out of control, blaming an entire country, their government and corporations, for the deeds of one irresponsible journalist?
Then how can we blame the europeans for boycotting Israeli products for the deeds of their government?
Responsibility has boarders too, face it, this is democracy, and freedom of speech.
This is a REALLY bad idea. IKEA is a private company, not part of the Swedish government, and its stores are franchises. In fact, IKEA’s corporate parent isn’t even Swedish, its a Dutch charity. And the owner of the Israel franchise is Matthew Bronfman!
This will show us up as ignoramuses and also give aid and comfort to those who wish to boycott anything Israeli.
a blood libel is very significant millions of yidden were killed with this excuse money or lack thereof works this is pikuach nefesh yisroel . free speech is one thing but a blood libel is inexcusable sweeden must excersize its free speech and condemn it
The boycott is short-sighted and ill advised. How is IKEA responsible for the newspaper or the government? Should all jews be boycotted because a few throw rocks on Shabat?
a foolish boycott that makes no sense
IKEA is a private company not associated with the newspaper.
The government cannot apologize for a private company where the newspapers are private and the country has freedom of the press.
Isn’t the chocolate Swiss? Don’t confuse Sweden & Switzerland.
Boycotting ikea is like boycotting the marks and spencer chainstore in england due to the scottish judge freeing the libyan mass murder. however the store suffers not the goverment.
Ikea Israel is owned by bronfman fisher
NOT the sweadish gov or press
Whaat? IKEA is a Dutch-owned store, not Swedish! It hasn’t been Swedish-owned for decades! Whenever you see B.V. after a company name, it means it’s a Dutch-owned company. Were people seriously thinking they were buying true Swedish design at a place like IKEA??? Made-in-Asia stuff marketed by the savvy Dutch! Research a little before you rebel!
Forget about IKEA. Let’s stop drinking Scotch!
Now I think I will buy the comforter set I saw last week at Ikea
Sheesh, at least when boycotting know what you’re boycotting!
Ikea does not automatically =Sweden Newspaper person
Plus it’s freedom of speech, everyone get over it
If anything ths whole buisness shows that israel is the one that need condeming and boycotting.
thousands of people sign ‘online’ petitions they don’t understand all day long… Is this even newsworthy?
For those who dont know, ingvar kamprad the founder of ikea was a nazi sympathizer in his youth..
My family and I will BOYCOTT IKEA. We will never buy anything from that store again.