Israel/Palestine

azurnoir

(45,850 posts) Tue Dec 22, 2015, 06:48 PM Dec 2015

Israeli Embassy Trolls White House, Exclusively Gifts Settlement Goods

This year’s holiday gifts from the Israeli embassy come with a politically charged message: the occupied Palestinian territories are part of Israel.

Israel's ambassador to the U.S., Ron Dermer, tweeted on Monday that all of the presents he is sending this holiday season will be products produced in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights. The gifts will include wine, olive oil, body cream, and halva, the Israeli embassy told The Huffington Post.

In a letter to gift recipients, Dermer described his decision as an effort to “combat the latest effort by Israel’s enemies to destroy the one and only Jewish state,” specifically referencing the recent European Union decision to label goods originating in the occupied Palestinian territories to differentiate them from products made within Israel’s 1967 borders.

Dermer accused the EU of supporting the broader Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, which targets all of Israel, not just the occupied territories. The BDS movement, wrote Dermer, is led by “fanatics who actively seek to eliminate Israel” and promote “a new anti-Semitism."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/israel-gifts-settlement-products_56798d78e4b06fa6887edc5c

49 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Israeli Embassy Trolls White House, Exclusively Gifts Settlement Goods (Original Post) azurnoir Dec 2015 OP

Ali zinged him on Twitter oberliner Dec 2015 #1

Where was Ali born? King_David Dec 2015 #2

Touche! grossproffit Dec 2015 #3

Born in DC, lives in Chicago oberliner Dec 2015 #4

He's American... King_David Dec 2015 #5

Really, dave? Do tell us who these posters are R. Daneel Olivaw Dec 2015 #27

Indigenous? King_David Dec 2015 #31

First they ignore you, R. Daneel Olivaw Dec 2015 #35

Made from the crushed hopes of Palestinian statehood... Little Tich Dec 2015 #6

You should see if the BDS movement is hiring oberliner Dec 2015 #7

I'm glad you liked it! Little Tich Dec 2015 #8

It was a nice turn of phrase oberliner Dec 2015 #10

Thanks. Little Tich Dec 2015 #41

Interesting to see who cheers on a Republican weasel like Dermer geek tragedy Dec 2015 #9

He's not a Republican oberliner Dec 2015 #11

He came to Bibi's attention due to his success as a Republican activist geek tragedy Dec 2015 #13

No matter how right wing Likud are they are 100% left wing compared to Republicans... King_David Dec 2015 #19

Israel's top diplomatic appointtees--Baratz and Hotovely--are indistinguishable from the Tea Party geek tragedy Dec 2015 #21

Get back to me when the tea Party has a Gay rep/ candidate.... King_David Dec 2015 #24

Since when does ones sexual identity exempt them R. Daneel Olivaw Dec 2015 #28

You're trying to debate LGBT issues with me ????? King_David Dec 2015 #30

I asked you a question that you have failed to answer. R. Daneel Olivaw Dec 2015 #33

I don't engage you for good reason King_David Dec 2015 #34

You have every right to run awayfrom my winning argument, dave. R. Daneel Olivaw Dec 2015 #36

I've been on this Democratic/Progressive site for years... R. Daneel Olivaw Dec 2015 #37

Also, did you just threaten me, dave? R. Daneel Olivaw Dec 2015 #38

so are you saying being Gay means you can not be Rightwing? azurnoir Dec 2015 #39

Only extreme right wing extremist parties like the TeaParty or the PA or Hamas King_David Dec 2015 #42

so Likud is a Progressive political party then? azurnoir Dec 2015 #43

Nope , but Compared to the Tea Party , IS , Hamas , PA , Uganda , Iran King_David Dec 2015 #44

How is he insulting Pres Obama leftynyc Dec 2015 #12

Labeling Israeli settlement products is US law, too geek tragedy Dec 2015 #14

That doesn't answer my very leftynyc Dec 2015 #16

Dermer is equating labeling goods produced in Palestine with BDS and dishonestly accused geek tragedy Dec 2015 #17

Sounds to me leftynyc Dec 2015 #18

Dermer called people who support the US/EU regulations "antisemites" and "fools" and "fanatics" geek tragedy Dec 2015 #20

Ah - so you're pissed leftynyc Dec 2015 #22

So you think that labeling products made in the West Bank "made in West Bank" is a fanatic attempt geek tragedy Dec 2015 #23

The BDS movement is comprised of Jew hating bigots King_David Dec 2015 #25

That is not what is being debated here. What is being debated is whether the US and EU geek tragedy Dec 2015 #26

" That fact is not even up for debate... " R. Daneel Olivaw Dec 2015 #29

Do you equate labeling products made in the West Bank settlements as such to BDS? azurnoir Dec 2015 #40

LOL King_David Dec 2015 #32

Is who an "apostate'? azurnoir Dec 2015 #45

Geek complaining ". That he ultimately chose to turn his back on his country of birth " King_David Dec 2015 #46

oh so you meant Dermer? azurnoir Dec 2015 #47

Who was Geek referring to ? King_David Dec 2015 #48

I did is it Dermer that you meant otherwise I need further explanation azurnoir Dec 2015 #49

Welcome back, missed you .... King_David Dec 2015 #15

oberliner

(58,724 posts)

1. Ali zinged him on Twitter

Reply to azurnoir (Original post)

Tue Dec 22, 2015, 06:55 PM

Dec 2015

Ali Abunimah ?@AliAbunimah 22h22 hours ago
.@ambdermer Why not give a gift from your homeland instead? http://www.floridawine.com

King_David

(14,851 posts)

2. Where was Ali born?

Reply to oberliner (Reply #1)

Tue Dec 22, 2015, 09:15 PM

Dec 2015

Where does he live ?

Where's his homeland ?

grossproffit

(5,591 posts)

3. Touche!

Reply to King_David (Reply #2)

Tue Dec 22, 2015, 09:22 PM

Dec 2015

oberliner

(58,724 posts)

4. Born in DC, lives in Chicago

Reply to King_David (Reply #2)

Tue Dec 22, 2015, 09:30 PM

Dec 2015

Someone should zing him back on Twitter (though then you would be blocked - he doesn't like being zinged).

King_David

(14,851 posts)

5. He's American...

Reply to oberliner (Reply #4)

Tue Dec 22, 2015, 10:13 PM

Dec 2015

Well I guess he's got Palestinian heritage which is more than some posters here in this group that consider themselves Palestinian ,despite never actually having ever been there before.

R. Daneel Olivaw

(12,606 posts)

27. Really, dave? Do tell us who these posters are

Reply to King_David (Reply #5)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 04:52 PM

Dec 2015

who you suggest consider themselves Palestinian: an actual indigenous group from the Levant.

While I'm waiting for your belaboured reply may I serve you some sour grapes?

King_David

(14,851 posts)

31. Indigenous?

Reply to R. Daneel Olivaw (Reply #27)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 05:52 PM

Dec 2015

Clueless

R. Daneel Olivaw

(12,606 posts)

35. First they ignore you,

Reply to King_David (Reply #31)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 09:22 PM

Dec 2015

then they laugh at you,

then they fight you,

and then you win.

I'm so sorry to see you beind the time, dave.

But keep on laughing.

Little Tich

(6,171 posts)

6. Made from the crushed hopes of Palestinian statehood...

Reply to azurnoir (Original post)

Tue Dec 22, 2015, 10:54 PM

Dec 2015

Guaranteed to strengthen Apartheid and support injustice forever...

For Ron Dermer, it's the best gift idea ever!

oberliner

(58,724 posts)

7. You should see if the BDS movement is hiring

Reply to Little Tich (Reply #6)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 01:03 AM

Dec 2015

You have all the talking points down.

Little Tich

(6,171 posts)

8. I'm glad you liked it!

Reply to oberliner (Reply #7)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 01:30 AM

Dec 2015

The problem is that I actually believe that those things I wrote are true...

oberliner

(58,724 posts)

10. It was a nice turn of phrase

Reply to Little Tich (Reply #8)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 09:52 AM

Dec 2015

Last edited Thu Dec 24, 2015, 12:51 AM - Edit history (1)

You are one of my favorite posters here - I genuinely enjoy reading what you write, even when I don't agree with the content (which is often).

I would mention that Dermer believes that the things he writes are true also.

In fact, I would daresay he is as passionate in his beliefs as the most vehement BDS activist is of theirs.

Little Tich

(6,171 posts)

41. Thanks.

Reply to oberliner (Reply #10)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 11:18 PM

Dec 2015

I like sparring with you too.

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)

9. Interesting to see who cheers on a Republican weasel like Dermer

Reply to azurnoir (Original post)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 09:48 AM

Dec 2015

as he peddles right wing propaganda and insults President Obama.

Interesting but not surprising.

oberliner

(58,724 posts)

11. He's not a Republican

Reply to geek tragedy (Reply #9)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 09:55 AM

Dec 2015

In fact, he is not even an American as he gave up his US citizenship shortly after moving to Israel.

He is a Likudnik.

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)

13. He came to Bibi's attention due to his success as a Republican activist

Reply to oberliner (Reply #11)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 11:09 AM

Dec 2015

Your argument is too clever by half, as it shows that Likud and the GOP are functionally one global transnational party/ideology.

King_David

(14,851 posts)

19. No matter how right wing Likud are they are 100% left wing compared to Republicans...

Reply to geek tragedy (Reply #13)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 01:33 PM

Dec 2015

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1134122231

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)

21. Israel's top diplomatic appointtees--Baratz and Hotovely--are indistinguishable from the Tea Party

Reply to King_David (Reply #19)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 01:41 PM

Dec 2015

in terms of ideology, extremism, and rhetoric.

King_David

(14,851 posts)

24. Get back to me when the tea Party has a Gay rep/ candidate....

Reply to geek tragedy (Reply #21)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 01:57 PM

Dec 2015

R. Daneel Olivaw

(12,606 posts)

28. Since when does ones sexual identity exempt them

Reply to King_David (Reply #24)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 04:56 PM

Dec 2015

from being complete right wing assholes?

King_David

(14,851 posts)

30. You're trying to debate LGBT issues with me ?????

Reply to R. Daneel Olivaw (Reply #28)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 05:16 PM

Dec 2015

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1134&pid=113572

R. Daneel Olivaw

(12,606 posts)

33. I asked you a question that you have failed to answer.

Reply to King_David (Reply #30)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 09:18 PM

Dec 2015

So let me answer it for you.

Since when does ones sexual identity exempt one from being complete right wing assholes?

It doesn't. Ones sexual identity doesn't really matter. If you're a right wing asshole, and LBGTQ, you're still still an asshole first and foremost; who just happens to be LGBTQ.

Hell, I've seen some self-identified gay individual, that purports to be a democrat, yet praises LGBTQ-hating republicans if you can believe that.

It's always possible that the person is a liar who just likes the GOP.

King_David

(14,851 posts)

34. I don't engage you for good reason

Reply to R. Daneel Olivaw (Reply #33)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 09:21 PM

Dec 2015

And your view on this topic have everything to do with this good reason.

You're on a Democratic Party supporting website now and best you remember that .

I don't take shit or get bullied by no one anymore and it's best you remember that too.

R. Daneel Olivaw

(12,606 posts)

36. You have every right to run awayfrom my winning argument, dave.

Reply to King_David (Reply #34)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 09:24 PM

Dec 2015

And as to your self/described victimization...do you often feel bullied when you lose or run from arguments?

"A coward dies a thousand times before hus death."

-W. Shakespeare

R. Daneel Olivaw

(12,606 posts)

37. I've been on this Democratic/Progressive site for years...

Reply to King_David (Reply #34)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 09:31 PM

Dec 2015

And I have never applauded anything the GOP does anywhere...ever.

But I have seen pretend democrats that do just that.

R. Daneel Olivaw

(12,606 posts)

38. Also, did you just threaten me, dave?

Reply to King_David (Reply #34)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 09:35 PM

Dec 2015

azurnoir

(45,850 posts)

39. so are you saying being Gay means you can not be Rightwing?

Reply to King_David (Reply #30)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 11:15 PM

Dec 2015

explain the Log Cabin Republicans then, are they liberals?

http://www.logcabin.org/

King_David

(14,851 posts)

42. Only extreme right wing extremist parties like the TeaParty or the PA or Hamas

Reply to azurnoir (Reply #39)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 11:42 PM

Dec 2015

Or Uganda or Islamic State or the PLO Or every Muslim country except maybe Turkey have no Gay representatives or Candidates in the party .

That is EXACTLY what I am saying.

Progressive countries or political parties do not have this problem.

azurnoir

(45,850 posts)

43. so Likud is a Progressive political party then?

Reply to King_David (Reply #42)

Thu Dec 24, 2015, 02:23 AM

Dec 2015

King_David

(14,851 posts)

44. Nope , but Compared to the Tea Party , IS , Hamas , PA , Uganda , Iran

Reply to azurnoir (Reply #43)

Thu Dec 24, 2015, 08:07 AM

Dec 2015

Very.

leftynyc

(26,060 posts)

12. How is he insulting Pres Obama

Reply to geek tragedy (Reply #9)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 10:35 AM

Dec 2015

with this? I've seen ZERO calls for bds coming from the white house or any other elected official in the United States. He's also not a republican - he's not even an American.

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)

14. Labeling Israeli settlement products is US law, too

Reply to leftynyc (Reply #12)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 11:11 AM

Dec 2015

http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/international/264082-labeling-israeli-settlement-products-is-us-law-too

In April 1995, the U.S. Customs Service issued a notice of policy in the Federal Register requiring that goods "produced in the territorial areas known as the West Bank or Gaza Strip shall be marked as 'West Bank,' 'Gaza,' or 'Gaza Strip,'" and "shall not contain the words 'Israel,' 'Made in Israel,' 'Occupied Territories-Israel,' or words of similar meaning." Customs further noted that a failure to conspicuously label the country of origin correctly in accordance with these requirements would lead to a 10 percent ad valorem duty levied on the product.

Although the U.S. regulations do not mandate that settlement products be marked as such like the EU regulations, U.S. law is quite clear on the subject: Israeli settlement products cannot be passed off to U.S. consumers as "Made in Israel" and any exporter doing so will not enjoy duty-free treatment under the terms of the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement.

In a recent Congressional Research Service report on this subject, the executive branch reaffirmed that "if a good is produced in the West Bank or Gaza, it remains a product of such no matter who produced it and no matter from where it is shipped ... goods produced in the West Bank or Gaza should be labeled as such (and not as 'Made in Israel')."

Dermer came to Bibi's attention due to his success as a Republican activist. That he ultimately chose to turn his back on his country of birth is rather besides the point.

leftynyc

(26,060 posts)

16. That doesn't answer my very

Reply to geek tragedy (Reply #14)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 11:55 AM

Dec 2015

simple question. It's OBVIOUSLY marked that it came from the settlements so law was followed. Exactly what is your problem with this? The US government - NOT ONE ELECTED OFFICIAL - wants anything to do with bds - has never even mentioned bds - so why shouldn't they send stuff from there?

And seriously, do you disdain all people who move to other countries or just the ones that go to Israel?

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)

17. Dermer is equating labeling goods produced in Palestine with BDS and dishonestly accused

Reply to leftynyc (Reply #16)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 12:13 PM

Dec 2015

the EU (and by extension the US since we have the same rules) of supporting BDS and wanting to destroy Israel.

Israel's diplomatic approach is more or less Donald Trumpism--insult people gratuitously while demonstrating the highest levels of hubris and arrogance.

leftynyc

(26,060 posts)

18. Sounds to me

Reply to geek tragedy (Reply #17)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 12:27 PM

Dec 2015

like you're outraged just to be outraged. Exactly who do you think is insulted - other than bds supporters who wish the entire world would just do what they want? You keep using the word insulting or insult but never say just who is supposed to be insulted. Care to give that very easy question a whirl?

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)

20. Dermer called people who support the US/EU regulations "antisemites" and "fools" and "fanatics"

Reply to leftynyc (Reply #18)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 01:34 PM

Dec 2015

By peddling the falsehood that those regulations are akin to BDS and discriminate against Israel because it's Jewish.

Remember that Israel's chief of public diplomacy--who STILL HAS HIS JOB--called President Obama an anti-Semite and said John Kerry is developmentally disabled.

Israel is the Donald Trump of international diplomacy.

leftynyc

(26,060 posts)

22. Ah - so you're pissed

Reply to geek tragedy (Reply #20)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 01:44 PM

Dec 2015

that the ambassador said something stupid - which received an apology from Bibi (I notice how you left out that part) and I happen to agree with him on the issue of labeling products. Since Donald doesn't EVER apologize and Bibi did apologize, your analogy is false all over the place.

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)

23. So you think that labeling products made in the West Bank "made in West Bank" is a fanatic attempt

Reply to leftynyc (Reply #22)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 01:49 PM

Dec 2015

by anti-semites to destroy Israel?

That ambassador still has his job, no?

A dishonest apology doesn't hold any weight.

King_David

(14,851 posts)

25. The BDS movement is comprised of Jew hating bigots

Reply to geek tragedy (Reply #23)

Wed Dec 23, 2015, 02:15 PM

Dec 2015

That fact is not even up for debate...

The USA government does not and never will support BDS - no matter how upsetting that may be to anyone.....

Never going to happen - sorry....