Marks and Spencers boycott

Walking past Marks and Spencers (a department store) yesterday, there were a couple of noisy groups with megaphones shouting at passer-bys. I soon ascertained that one group was there to protest Mark and Spencer's support of Israel and zionism, in trade and as part of their corporate culture. The other picket was a counter demonstration by pro-Israelis.

I took a leaflet and talked to a very nice man, Collin, who was obviously very passionate about the plight of the Palestinians, and also very adamant that Jews, Muslims and Christian alike must live in equality in Palestine, which means no more Israel.

The plight of the Palestinian people is important to me, and I am destressed that the pickets is doing more harm than good. After all, Marks and Spencers is a British institution with shareholders far and wide who would be hurt by fall in sales. They are also, despite their Jewish roots, now unaligned with an nation or ideology in particular. I think people would find targeting M&S a huge turn-off. It goes without saying that I am against the boycott of Israeli individuals. What I am for is formenting an organized, national trade sanctions against Israel until they start treating Palestinians like people, but when the heck is that going to happen?