Park Slope Food Co-op Votes Overwhelmingly Against Boycotting Israeli Goods

March 30, 2012 – NEW YORK – On Tuesday, March 27, by a landslide vote of 1,005 to 653, members of Brooklyn’s Park Slope Food Co-op voted against holding a referendum on boycotting goods made in Israel.

The boycott was conceived as part of the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which advocates for discrimination against goods and persons of Israeli origin. In many instances, such boycotts violate state anti-discrimination statutes.

The Lawfare Project has actively worked to counter the Park Slope referendum. Project Director Brooke Goldstein was invited to speak before the Co-op on the folly of a pro-BDS vote, the video of which can be viewed here. The Lawfare Project’s analysis of the legal implications of engaging in discriminatory boycotts can be read here.

The Project applauds the vote as a victory for the rule of law and human rights, noting that a number of New York City and State politicians – including City Council speaker Christine C. Quinn, public advocate Bill de Blasio, Manhattan borough president Scott M. Stringer, Senator Charles Schumer, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg – have vehemently denounced any such boycott.

For more information, please contact:

Brooke Goldstein – Brooke@TheLawfareProject.org – (212) 922-1672 ext. 302

Benjamin Ryberg – Ben@TheLawfareProject.org – (212) 922-1672 ext. 305