Saturday January 17, 2009

I've Been Thinking:

The world has taken note of the Israeli operation in Gaza.
Everyone has an opinion.

Some of the responses are to be expected, others are certainly surprising, even shocking.
Iran is recommending a boycott of Israel and of anyone doing business with Israel, which is to be expected.

However:
In Turkey a sign was put up in a private store window this week declaring: "No Israelis buy here."
In New Zealand taverns and bars are evicting Israelis with the mantra: "Israelis are not welcome until Gaza shelling stops."
Turkey and New Zealand have been major tourist stops for Israelis for many years. Israelis spend a lot of time and more importantly, money, in these places. So much so that at some spots the Israeli shekel is accepted as currency.

In most democracies one may not discriminate against people because they come from a particular country or culture. But as we are seeing, local establishments are being given more leeway in putting out the Not Welcome mat.

Read my new book THUGS. It's easy. Just click.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=halpern%2C+micah