A small group of vocal British leftists has called to boycott Israeli goods, targeting the major supermarket chains Waitrose and Morrisons in particular. The Fair Play Campaign organization has created a positive response, announcing a "buycott."

Shoppers have responded well to the initiative, and several stores sold out of almost their entire stock of Israeli goods.

On Saturday, boycott promoters held a demonstration outside a branch of Waitrose in Bristol. The protesters acted out the IDF takeover of the Gaza flotilla ship Mavi Marmara as they perceived it. The nine Turkish "victims" took turns approaching a mock Israeli soldier and being shot.

In order to emphasize their view that Israel was exclusively to blame for the deaths, the activists made the "Israeli soldier" stand on stilts, so that he towered over nine Turkish "peace activists" - each of whom had a sign on their back reading Aid-Crew. He also wore a mask.

The activists' skit skipped over the point at which Turkish passengers violently attacked Israeli soldiers. It also ignored the fact that the ship on which they travelled did not carry humanitarian aid of any kind.

Pro-Israel activists appeared unconcerned by the Bristol rally, but said they would continue their "buycott." In addition to buying Israeli goods, "buycott" activists have contacted store managers to let them know that they are buying Israeli goods and to thank them for stocking the items.

"Boycotts hurt both Palestinian and Israeli societies, damage prospects for peace and literally achieve no good whatsoever," explained a statement on the Fair Play Campaign website. "Boycott campaigns are also upsetting to many British Jews. We should be encouraging more engagement between Israelis and Palestinians and fighting divisive boycotts."

via israelnn.com