Opinion piece in newspaper -RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: The only purpose of these endless marches is to intimidate British Jews.

[floodlightonwhatisright]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-12878659/RICHARD-LITTLEJOHN-marches-intimidate-British-Jews-tolerate-hatred-streets.html

He raises some interesting ideas.

I think Zara has been ostracised by some for quite some time now. Before 7/10. I like their clothes and followed them on insta. I have seen people post Palestine flags and boycott messages for quite a while. I was puzzled and tried to google it. And it was something about the Zara owner and his linked with a senior Israeli official I think. I am ashamed to say I can’t remember the detail off-hand. But the anger definitely predates this ad campaign.

ETA I just checked a random Zara post from July and people had posted Palestine flags below it with protest messages.

considered equally offensive towards Palestinians that could be interpreted as glorifying body bags and a war zone.

"could be interpreted" is doing a lot of heavy lifting there. I think you'd have to be in a particularly bad faith frame of mind to think that was the intended message.

As for 'war zone', is Gaza the only war zone? Why would it be offensive to Palestinians but not to Ukrainians for example?

And is it worth standing outside the shop intimidating people who might want to shop there and forcing them to close on the busiest shopping day of the Christmas period? Of course not, that would be stupid and counterproductive.

Their head designer of women's wear is openly bigoted towards Palestinians. Zara 'condenmed' her comments but she still works there.

And here you go again accusing me of starting this thread in another attempt " demonize people standing up for Palestinian rights and shut down criticism of Israel."

Really? Where is the evidence that I started this thread to do that?

I'm falling to see how this justifies standing outside a shop intimidating people who might want to shop there.

I put this in the same category as those idiots who booed people coming out of McDonalds.

it started a couple of years ago. Here is what their head women’s designer said to a Palestinian model on instagram advocating for Palestine. She reached out to him, unprovoked, via direct message.

Well it achieved its aim, which was to gain publicity and remind people of how many thousands of children are being murdered using Western money and weapons while we buy skincare and leggings.

Can you imagine what would have happened if she had made antisemitic comments? She would have been cancelled long ago and Zara would have been rightly condemned globally. Instead Zara put out some weak statement and she’s still there.

their most recent tone deaf ad campaign is just the cherry on top.

Ah it makes sense now. People had prior beef and that is why they were determined to see that advert in the worst possible light.

To a normal person it just looks stupid.

Imagine I came on and said that Jewish people were being "too sensitive" to be scared or offended by some of the march things on lists you posted. But people are being "too sensitive" over this, as you put it?

"Could be interpreted" - you're right, I should reword it to "IS interpreted by many Palestinians". Because it is! Are you telling them they are "too sensitive"?

War zone - this was posted at the point of heavy intensity bombing that has not been ongoing very long when we are seeing bodybags all over our screens.

That you can't recognise how this campaign would be offensive to Palestinian or Muslim people is baffling to be honest. Especially when you claim to be anti-racist upthread.

It seems your concern and outrage over offensive material is rather selective.

I didn't say that it did. I was just explaining that Zara employs a bigot and that is why people don't like them. Personally I won't cry over Zara losing custom. I don't think it is appropriate to employ bigots in high profile positions.

@Desertrose2023 you do realise that on another thread, there are Pro Palestinian posters saying they are reporting threads to the CST equivalent and other posters posting what organisations they can be reported to? It isn't just Pro Israeli posters saying they are doing this.

Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia must be called out and - each and every time. Hate must not be allowed to exist. Peace and love is the way forward.

Wishing everybody a very happy and joyful festive season.

That you can't recognise how this campaign would be offensive to Palestinian or Muslim people is baffling to be honest

Do you think it is offensive to Ukrainians?

'Prior beef'. I'd love to see your opinion if Zara employed an open anti semite in a high profile position. I'm sure you would be describing it as 'beef'.

probably to some yes. That wasn't my point. To be honest it's not the kind of campaign I would ever put out. But it is especially the timing of this and the material contained within that is offensive.

To not recognise it seems to be especially obtuse especially when you have claimed to be antiracist.

I will note to you once again - Imagine I came on and said that Jewish people were being "too sensitive" to be scared or offended by some of the march things on lists you posted. But people are being "too sensitive" over this, as you put it?

I think it was your username that put the word 'beef' into my head, tbh.

Prior issues then.

Imagine I came on and said that Jewish people were being "too sensitive" to be scared or offended by some of the march things on lists you posted.

So you're comparing an advertising campaign, the aim of which was definitely not to offend anyone in any war zone with intimidating people going into shops, waving antisemitic placards, attacking people who criticise Hamas and wearing the uniform of a terrorist organisation?

If that’s my post you’re referring to (I asked to where the rife Islamophobia on these threads could be reported) I was being sarcastic. I was making the point that all this constant, endless “reporting” is coming from one side only, despite the fact that I’ve seen plenty of extremely nasty Islamophobic comments, including many implying that they deserve what’s happening to them. The people you “report” to must be very busy right now. But I suspect that the Palestinians have more on their minds than scouring these threads to find things to report.

Ah it makes sense now. People had prior beef and that is why they were determined to see that advert in the worst possible light.

To a normal person it just looks stupid

A normal person huh?
I suppose a normal person would just shrug Gaza off and focus on the trauma experienced by a shopper just trying to get into Zara 😂

And if you thought there was a hint of antisemtism (intentional or otherwise) going on in those ads it would all be different of course.

I think the poster was just trying to elicit some empathy

Prior issues then.

With what?

With people intimidating people going into shops to the point where those shops had to close, for an at best tenuous reason?

No.

???

I assume that you are referring to Prevent which was first referenced on the below thread by someone who I would certainly not categorize as a pro Palestinian poster. Prevent is not a CST equivalent and never has been. It is an organization set up to prevent terrorism and radicalization where people can report their concerns. I have not seen any pro Palestinian posters reference reporting islamophobic posts to Prevent. Happy for you to share examples and if I’m wrong I will be the first to admit it and apologize, but positioning Prevent as some sort of body that polices Islamophobia is just more disinformation.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/conflict-in-the-middle-east/4964127-has-anyone-changed-their-mind-from-what-they-have-read-on-here?page=27

With Zara.

Because leaping on that ad campaign and taking it in the worst possible light can only be explained by the fact that people were already looking for reasons to be offended.

Like people jumping on the hats in the M&S ad because they had prior issues with M&S, not because it made any sense.