Hijab is a "Halloween costume", says City Councilwoman Lowenstein, of Ann Arbor

Personal attacks against the Boycott-Israel vote, at People's Food Co-op, brings out racist comments on "Arbor Update" (See below)...

ARBOR UPDATE

September 8, 2007

On the Web Here

Comment # 181 [by Ann Arbor City Councilmember Joan Lowenstein]:

"I think it is appropriate to add some information that explains the true motivations behind OW Banker and the others supporting the boycott. I was in front of PFC today holding a sign against the boycott and talking to anyone who wanted to approach me to talk. First, OW Banker had his camera and took my picture (hope he got my good side!). Then another of the synagogue protesters, Farouq Shafie, approached and accused me of supporting ethnic cleansing. I told him I was in favor of a peaceful negotiation to a two-state solution. He yelled "No negotiation! No negotiation!" He was followed by Amy Smith, the putative head of the putative Green Party, who wears a head scarf as a Halloween costume since she is not a Muslim. She continued with the "no negotiation" theme and said that the Indians negotiated with the white people and look what they got. So, those who advocate a boycott do not want peace, do not want negotiation towards peace and do not actually support anything except the end of Israel. They are not "pro" anything but only "anti" most of what the rest of us believe in."

" —Joan Lowenstein Sep 8, 07:32 PM

For background on the humanitarian campaign to boycott all Israeli goods, at the People's Food Co-op, see the following:

* "Call to boycott Israeli items stirs controversy at co-op:

"People's Food Co-op members to vote on protest action"

Article & photo are on the Web here

For further boycott information, see:

* "Pushing in Ann Arbor for boycott of Israel" The Arab American News (Dearborn, Michigan)
August 18, 2007
Page 21.

On the Internet Here

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