MEC buys all sorts of goods from China and has taken a clear stand that although they do not agree with the government of China in all of its crazy policies, they have ethically researched each factory to ensure that it is ethically manufacturing its goods. IE: living wages in china etc..

MEC is not a political organization and as such it should not get involved taking sides and blaming countries for political problems that are complicated and multifaceted beyond ensuring that its goods are ethically produced.

I for one would leave the MEC if they created a double standard boycott against Israel for the .5% of MEC goods that are manufactured inside Israel. If MEC was serious about being an ethical company it would boycott all countries that are having political conflicts and not just Israel.

Adam Votes: +39

Hey, MEC first mandate is to help us being able to find gear to do self propelled activity, not to save the world. And saving the world, it is at it's best. With all the infrastructure and the good values. Not only MEC offer good gear but it : helps the environment (1% for the planet), helps the community (grants), train the staff and lots lots more. MEC does not get involve in Politics and, you ask me, politics is not the thing for a retails store.
If you need a way to feel better about yourself in "helping your cause", their is other ways to do so. Go out there and find another way; before attacking MEC, learn about the mandate and what they already do. Read the history of MEC (how it was founded by 5 outdoor people that went in the states to get gear for canadians and created bigger and bigger)
- MEC member / climber / hiker / kayaker Votes: +18

Bill Gates invests in Israel hugely; so does Warren Buffett. But David Olsen decides to "punish" Israel, and so does his good buddy Mad-in-a-Jar. Guess who's going to lose. May I ask the Olsons of the world to substantiate "genocidal Israel"? Votes: +16

I have been a member of MEC since 1995 and cancelled my membership as soon as I heard about this nonsense. Anybody who would even consider doing this is not getting a cent from me. Votes: +6

Dear Anna,

I do not know why you have decided to retract you membership(hey this is a coop, if you retract your membership, you will not be able to come back, at least for a period of time). If this was because you thought MEC already done the ban, I would like to mention that MEC has not ban Israel sourcing.

Here what you can read on the mec.ca:


"Sourcing From Israel

It has come to our attention that an ordinary resolution will be tabled at MEC's Annual General Meeting on April 30 in Vancouver calling on MEC to stop sourcing products from Israel. The resolution will be tabled by an MEC member, for discussion and voting by members in attendance at the AGM.

Ordinary resolutions are non-binding; the resolution will not in itself force a change to MEC's sourcing products from Israel.

The resolution in question has not been endorsed by MEC: it does not reflect MEC's position on sourcing from Israel. MEC takes a Canadian and international view of our global supply chain. Just as creed or country are not barriers to being an MEC member, we do not divide our supply chain along political lines. In short, we will not take sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. " Votes: +3

[This is the typical, "what you say is what you are argument we hear from Israel's supporters. Of course Israel has [sic] its Palestinians...how comforted they must all be by that. Of course Israel did more than the Allies did in bombing Dresden in 1944...Israel used experimental weapons, counter to the international conventions Israel repeatedly ignores. It also continued its bombing campaign over 22 days (and continue to bomb Gaza almost daily yet). Dresden was destroyed in a massive one time incendiary attack, (see Kurt Vonnegut's 'Slaughter House Five). The old "Israel is the only democratic government in the region..." blah, blah, blah. Real democratic having roads only Jews can pass on. Only Jews can build in Jerusalem. Only Jews can be sure they return to their homes and find them still standing, and unoccupied by squatters. Only Jews can visit their relatives abroad and be certain they will be granted access again to the country. Only Jews are permitted to build in the West Bank (again against international law). Yeah, Hamas operates out of schools and hospitals. They are the schools and hospitals. The same schools and hospitals murderous Israel bombed. They also operate out of police and ambulance stations. The same targeted by murderous Israel. Dave Olson has it right: To deny Israel's intended holocaust against the Palestinian population is to belie the obvious. Richard, I ask you; "What kind of Israel do you wish to live in?" Stop the murder and stop buying from companies doing business with murderous Israel. Perhaps the boycott will finally convince Israelis it is time to rein in the murderers they have allowed conduct the colonial genocide of the Palestinian people. - ed]

Dave Olsen writes.. "But this is a simple issue: Israel is waging genocide against the Palestinian people (if you're not aware of this, you've been either visiting another planet or reading/watching/believing mainstream media."
This is utter nonsense. Israel has over 1 million palestinian citizens and is trying to come to a resolution with the palestinians in the PA controlled West Bank. Gaza, which Israel evacuated, was taken over in a bloody coup by Hamas - a taliban like islamic fundamentalist organization, which does not recognize Israel's right to exist and after firing over 6000 rockets into Israeli cities and towns, Israel was forced to respond. Israel could have done in Gaza what the allies did to Dresden - simply level the place. They didnt do that, but rather tried to limit civilian casualties, despite the fact that Hamas operates out of schools, hospitals etc. There is no genocide whatsoever and such a comment either shows a total lack of knowledge of the situation and/or a deep hatred of Israel.
The call for MEC to single out and boycott Israel - the only free society and democracy in the entire middle east - is disturbing. Lets hope it is defeated. Votes: +6

I do not know if this resolution passed but I agree that it's patently absurd and totally frightening. Does MEC purchase and sell items from China and the US? Need I say more?
Talk about biased. The world absolutely loves and scapegoat and it's not the first time that it's happened for Israel.

Jeff Fisher Votes: +13

I love when people like Dave tell us who he is going to vote for! It lets me know who NOT to vote for! I'll be checking his "recommendations" during the next MEC election for sure! Votes: +7

So, Israel is committing "genocide" against Palestinians. What a ridiculous statement, so if any country that reacts with force against an enemy sworn to destroy them is genocide in your view? I thought it was self-defense or at worst, war.
How is it you are able to do business with states like China?
However, I must thank you for giving me the heads-up on the who to vote for!

[Who would you be voting for, Karin, Ariel Sharon? -ed.]
Votes: +7

...why don't we have a vote on suppliers and factories in China and other places of marginal liberty and workers rights? If you are tying your operational goals to social engineering and political goals, don't stop with Israel. By all means boycott Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Muslim almost Theocracies for their treatment and physical abuse of women! Ah! But you won't even raise the question because nobody is willing to confront the Muslim theocracies no matter how many "honour" killings of young women happen or how long they will continue genital mutilation or how much child labour is used or abused. This brouhaha is mere fashion politics, driven by an agenda which cites so many low-hanging fruit issues. Such points, though, lack the consistency of principle being applied to some of the very groups who wish to raise such issues.


[Care to mention some of those "low-hanging fruit issues" doctor? Where shall we begin: Genocide? Collective punishment? Mass murder? Dispossession? Theft? Environmental attack? Your point about Saudi Arabia, and the other Thugocracies is well taken; of course they are supported by the same paragons of virtue that make possible Israel's continued criminality. -ed.] Votes: +2

Dave, 20% of Israeli citizenry is Arab, and Arabic is one of the country's two official languages. Israeli Arabs live with greater freedom and prosperity than their cousins in any other country in the Middle East. As it happens, Israel is situated in a particularly nasty neighbourhood, where tough reprisal is sometimes the only language respected. It's unfortunate but I'm not that sure that you and I in this peaceful country are in a position to condemn. Suspend your beliefs for a bit and take another look.

[White Phosphorous, Depleted Uranium, and DIME weapons turned on women and children. Hospitals, schools, mosques, police stations, water works, farm lands targeted and destroyed. Whatever neighbourhood Israel lives in, it does not excuse its actions. These are war crimes, crimes against humanity, and they are indefensible. Say what you like, Peter it is deeds that matter, and by their deeds you shall know them. -ed.] Votes: +3

The writer promotes an entirely one-sided view. The Israel-Palestinian situation is tragic, no doubt. But two groups are fighting, and both need to make corrections. It's intensely more complicated than is conveyed by the writer.

Moreover, in response to measured, thoughtful responses from readers, the editor makes snide comments that reveal complete contempt for anyone harbouring an opposing point-of-view.

[I measure my contempt carefully, Shel. The issue is not complicated at all. People are killed and mangled in their thousands by a regime that listens to no-one. The BDS campaign is an attempt, albeit a meagre one, to bring some kind of response, a small measure of recrimination to the atrocities meted out to a near defenseless people. Israel and her supporters must know their actions cannot continue with impunity, even if the price they pay is merely to their bottom line. If that is one-sided, so be it; I'll be damned if I'll expend my energy soliciting sympathy, or defending a murderous entity that is entirely ruthless and without conscience. With all due respect. - ed.] Votes: +3

Olsen is absurd. Genocide??!! If Israel wanted to commit genocide (e.g. eliminating the Palestinians as a people) it could accomplish this relatively easily. Do you think the Nazis would have only managed to kill 1300 people in three weeks of bombing?? Olsen betrays his own appalling and sanctimoniously narrow understanding of history and politics. I am against any such boycott - otherwise, where do you stop? Why no boycott of China? Or Morocco? Or many other countries? Such ignorance.......Olsen understands so little...

["Only 1300 people"? Do you have any idea what you stand for? Only 1300 lives erased. Only 1300 families burying loved ones. In fact, many more than "only 1300" were killed, and continue to be killed by the proto-fascist Israeli regime you champion. How many died in the Blitz Andrew. Was it only 1300? Of course your argument about the IDF's great restraint in not wiping out every living Palestinian is a boiler plate notion straight out of the Hasbara cook book on recipes to supplant criticism. I doubt you, "Andrew Halper" are a real person at all, but likely some dual passport holder whose name is being used to defend the indefensible. BDS is growing "Andrew" and more and more, the tricks used by you and your fellows are falling short of their mark. -ed.] Votes: +1

boycotting is an old and archaic way of protesting and has had very little positive effect. It is always better to keep open the lines of dialogue and communication. Trying to understand issues so that the solution can be found which enhance peace and understanding. Seeking to alienate, pillory, isolate, ridicule, spread falsehoods is easy and in the end very ineffective. No country is potentially without blemish; there has been treatment of First Nations by Canada which was brought to the UN; what about Chinese treatment of religious minorities; what about French laws against religious dress; it goes on and on. Keep communicating NOT boycotting.

[The boycott is a method of communicating to Israel its days of impunity are over. - ed.]

Votes: +3

I challenge the writer of this hate-filled call to boycott, and the even more hateful and cynical replies to posts in the forum section to live in Sderot for six months while rockets rain down. Better yet, bring your parents, children, siblings, and close friends with you! After six months, maybe you'll understand why Israel has to do what she has to do to defend herself against a mortal enemy who would dearly love to finish what the Nazis started. How many of the supposed "facts" that you wrote here can be confirmed and verified by independent and unbiased sources? How many of these "facts" are made up rhetoric designed to cast Israel in the worst possible light? Why are you singling out Israel when so many other countries are guilty of equally bad "crimes" or worse as you accuse Israel of? Don't bother insulting my intelligence by falsely claiming that Israel is worse than these other countries, because we both know that is bullcr*p even though you would like to believe it (and probably really do)!

[You admit Israel is committing these crimes. That answers your other questions. This has nothing to do with singling out Israel, all offenders will get their due. But, Israel is a singular situation: Nowhere else in the world do we see the mass caging of indigenous people who are then starved, bombed, humiliated on a daily basis, deprived of essential infrastructure, murdered at home and abroad, incarcerated without charge or defense, subject to banned and experimental weaponry, indiscriminately targeted, subject to "legal" dispossession and eviction from their homes, attacked with impunity by military, police, and the zealous bigots. And on. I would be very careful Spamme in mentioning the Nazis and the finishing of their odious works...were any of the above things happening to Jews, you would be outraged, as you should be no matter who is committing these crimes. And, if this was the case, if it was the Jews of Israel subject to systematic erasure, I and this site would be speaking for their rights. As to Sderot; the rocket attacks against Sderot are illegal in international law, as are Israel's attacks against Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank. -ed.] Votes: +2