April 14, 2009, - 7:29 pm

Whole Foods “Responds” to Schlussel Story on Funding Palestinian Terrorist U, Stands by Terror U Scholarship Products

By Debbie Schlussel
Last week, I broke the story about how Whole Foods is funding not only extremist Palestinians–but An-Najah University a/k/a Terrorist U–by selling its Canaan Fair Trade olive oil and Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, which use the Canaan Fair Trade olive oil.
Several of my readers complained to Whole Foods. Below is what one of them got in response. Whole Foods isn’t budging, stands by its support of terrorist university financing Canaan Fair Trade, and won’t even address the issue of An-Najah University, where the student council is HAMAS-controlled and the school re-enacted the Jerusalem Sbarro Pizza homicide bombing to the cheers and smiles of students.
Terrorist U: These Companies & Products Fund . . .

wholefoods.jpg

drbronners2.jpg

canaanfairtrade.jpg

. . . Terrorist Re-Enactments Like These @ An-Najah University
annajahuniversity.jpg

annajah2.jpg

An-Najah University Stages Re-enactments of Sbarro Pizza Homicide Bombing

Clearly, Whole Foods will not change and dump these terror-financing products, unless you tell Whole Foods you will no longer shop there . . . and stand by your word. I used to shop there, but because of this I won’t any longer, and I plan to let them know. You should, too. And notice that Whole Foods won’t explain why they don’t sell Israeli olive oil, which this is designed to undercut. You know, the Israelis who don’t use their olive oil to fund scholarships to Terrorist U.

From: Jessie Walker (CE CEN) Jessie.Walker@wholefoods.com
Subject: in response to your concerns.
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 3:08 PM
I have shared your concerns with our National purchasing team as I promised. Our National Grocery Team chose to launch items made by this coop, such as Alter Eco, Dr Bronners, and Canaan Fair Trade brand, because of the high ethical standards with which they are produced. Fair trade items are a win-win partnership and this particular line of oils is produced by a co-op of Palestinians in the West Bank who are committed to peaceful coexistence with Israel. [DS: NOT AT AN-NAJAH UNIVERSITY, WHERE CANAAN FAIR TRADE FUNDS SCHOLARSHIPS] Here are the main points to rebuke the article you mention. [DS: THIS IS NOT A REBUKE. IT’S REGURGITATION OF BS.]
1. Canaan is fully invested in fair trade and organic production as means to support livelihood and environmental sustainability. In Palestine in particular fair-trade has created much needed hope in the farmers communities and provided them with a medium for positive interaction and connection with Western societies in Europe and North America. [DS: SO? THIS “REBUKES” THAT CANAAN FAIR TRADE FUNDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO TERRORIST UNIVERSITIES, HOW?]
2. Canaan Fair Trade olive oil is certified fair trade by two of the most reputable fair-trade certification bodies IMO and FLO, independent third parties, in Switzerland and Germany. Certification involves yearly inspections and audits including the money trail. These two certifiers verify that the payments reach the farmers cooperatives and the individual farmers, and the social premiums support valuable community projects. [DS: I REPEAT, SO? THIS “REBUKES” THAT CANAAN FAIR TRADE FUNDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO TERRORIST UNIVERSITIES, HOW?]
3. Every product leaving Palestine, including Canaan Fair Trade products, is exported through Israeli ports and cleared by Israeli customs authorities. Getting the product out to markets abroad requires cooperation between Palestinian and Israeli businesses. [DS: SO WHAT? THEY DON’T EXPORT THE SCHOLARSHIPS TO TERRORISM UNIVERSITY A/K/A AN-NAJAH THROUGH ISRAEL, DO THEY? WE DIDN’T SAY THERE WERE BOMBS INSIDE THE CANAAN PRODUCTS, JUST THAT THE PRODUCTS FUND THE BREEDING OF TERRORISTS AT COLLEGES. WHICH ISRAELI BUSINESSES? PLEASE NAME THEM. OF COURSE, THERE AREN’T ANY, AS CANAAN FREE TRADE DOESN’T WORK WITH THE ISRAELIS. THIS IS SIMPLY A LIE.]
4. The US Department of State is encouraging the local Palestinian economy as a catalyst for peace in the region. A State Department delegation visited Canaan headquarters in Jenin, West bank, March 2009. Sean Fitzgerald, delegation head, said “We were really impressed with (Canaan’s) establishment, but more so with the fair trade principles (they) promote and the community service (they) give.” He asked if Canaan Fair Trade would serve as a model for other Palestinian companies to reach the US market. [DS: AH, SO THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS HELPING IN THIS EFFORT TO FUND SCHOLARSHIPS TO TERRORIST UNIVERSITIES. THAT MAKES IT SO MUCH BETTER TO KNOW THAT OUR TAX DOLLARS BACK IT UP (WHICH I ALREADY KNEW AND NOTED IN MY ORIGINAL ARTICLE–TELL ME SOMETHING I DIDN’T KNOW).]
5. Many US [DS: FAR-LEFT] Christian and [DS: SELF-HATING, FAR LEFT] Jewish groups work with Canaan and support Canaan’s producer communities. These include Catholic Relief Services, the Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church, the United Church of Christ, the Quakers, and Jewish Voice for Peace [DS: ALL OPEN SUPPORTERS OF HAMAS, HEZBOLLAH, AND DIVESTMENT FROM ISRAEL], to name a few.
Please let me know if you have any further questions. [DS: WHY BOTHER, SINCE HE DIDN’T ADDRESS OR ANSWER ANY OF THE QUESTIONS I RAISED? HERE’S A FURTHER QUESTION: HOW MUCH OF A LOSS IN SALES FROM AMERICANS AGAINST TERRORISM CAN WHOLE FOODS SUSTAIN BEFORE FAILING?]
Kind regards,
Jessie Walker|Customer Information Specialist
Whole Foods Market|Global Head Quarters
Phone 512-542-0670|Fax 512-482-7670

When I first wrote about this, last week, many of my readers suggested Trader Joe, which I wholeheartedly endorse. You won’t find Canaan Fair Trade Terrorism University products there. But you will find Israeli products and others produced by companies that don’t support and fund terrorism.
Go to Organic Tofu Hell, Whole Foods.






38 Responses

the reason people support it, Jews and non-Jews (me being part of the former), is cuz “Canaan Fair Trade” sounds so pretty. obviously, it’s just leftist word-play

yankeekaz on April 14, 2009 at 11:17 pm

******************
******************
“Here are the main points to rebuke the article you mention.”
##################
Greetings:
Sadly, this is just further evidence of the deterioration of our language, i.e., the “dumbing down of America”.
The proper word should have been, “refute”, or, “Rebut”.
“Rebuke” means to scold or reprimand.
“Rebut”, or, “Refute”, means to debate or counter an argument or statement.
Thank you.
John Robert Mallernee
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400
******************
******************

writesong on April 15, 2009 at 1:47 am

Actually, here in CA, Trader Joes does carry Dr. Bronner’s items. I, unfortunately stocked up about 6 months ago on the soaps (it is one of the few that doesn’t irritate my family members’ skin).
I will be looking for an alternative to purchase locally so when we run out, I can buy that instead.

NewColoradoJew on April 15, 2009 at 3:32 am

In the past I have purchased and promoted informally, Dr.Bronner soaps because their promotional materials implied that they are all about unity, world peace, and “fair trade” No more. Debbie Schlussel reminds us,on a daily basis,that “the truth is out there” Good bye Whole. Hello Joe’s!

Roads Skolar on April 15, 2009 at 5:34 am

Trader Joes is cheaper anyway

mindy1 on April 15, 2009 at 6:09 am

Whole Foods is way over priced, Trader Joe’s is far better (and cheaper).

Ripper on April 15, 2009 at 8:53 am

A very simple equation. Whole Foods doesn’t get it, so we bounce them with a BOYCOTT.
I love Trader Joe’s. And yes, “TJ’s” is smaller, however, much cheaper and just as good.

Jackson Pearson on April 15, 2009 at 10:59 am

I don’t mind using quality products, I just don’t want to unknowingly support the myopic beliefs of wayward has been, hippy holdovers. I will not shop at Whole Foods again. We now use Arbonne cleansing gel, which is a superior product to Bronners.

#1Vato on April 15, 2009 at 11:11 am

Not to worry, Debbie…
Whole Foods profit slides 17% as demand slows
By Matt Andrejczak, MarketWatch
Last update: 6:03 p.m. EST Feb. 18, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Whole Foods Market, the nation’s largest organic grocery chain, reported late Wednesday net income fell 17% from the year-earlier quarter due to slowing store traffic and legal costs.
Whole Foods posted a fiscal first-quarter profit of $32.3 million, or 20 cents a share, down from $39.1 million, or 28 cents a share, last year. The profit was better than the 19 cents analysts had forecast, according to FactSet Research. Whole Foods said its pending antitrust legal fight with the Federal Trade Commission ate into its profit.
Sales for the 16 weeks ended Jan. 18 were unchanged at $2.5 billion.
But Whole Foods faced negative growth at its existing store base. Comparable store sales — a key barometer of retailer health — fell 4% compared with a 9% gain last year. The decline underscores how consumers are shunning pricey groceries and other goods. Since 2004, Whole Foods has averaged an annual growth rate of 10.2% for comparable store sales.
Just in the last four weeks ended Feb. 15, Whole Foods said same-store sales fell 4.5%.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Whole-Foods-profit-slides-17/story.aspx?guid=%7B0D250E35-F624-478F-B82E-800CEA3BABE2%7D

horselady on April 15, 2009 at 12:31 pm

Boycott Whole Foods.
Shop at Trader Joes.
Too many illegal alien employees at Whole Foods anyhow.

lexi on April 15, 2009 at 2:16 pm

I stopped shopping at Whole Foods years ago. While waiting in the checkout line at the one in Troy MI, I was thumbing through one of the ‘zines on the stand. There was an article in it suggesting that Israelis were the new Nazis leaving the Palestinians to be – yep, you guessed it. I emailed the store expressing my concerns, and got a response stating their concern for first amendment rights. Oh, and they weren’t responsible for what was written in the magazines they carry. I haven’t been back since.

sonofsheldon on April 15, 2009 at 3:45 pm

I was the reader last week who suggested Trader Joe’s as an alternative, along with local farmer’s markets. This week I will really let the cat out of the bag. Trader Joe’s also has a great selection of beer and wine.

Richard on April 15, 2009 at 3:57 pm

Whole foods is also much more expensive in my area than Trader Joes.
Trader Joes ftw.

ilan on April 15, 2009 at 5:47 pm

Thank you for letting us know about this pathetic company’s practices. Also for letting know that something called “Dr. Bronner’s” is actually a Palestinian Hamas supporter’s product-I’m sure they’re not trying to hide that fact or anything by using an Anglo name!
I wrote a complaint letter to Whole Foods and told them I would no longer shop at their stores and would let all of my synagogue members as well as that of other synagogues know what they are doing. Until Jewish people all over the world learn to use the same tactics of complaining that blacks and arabs have used incessantly to their great benefit, we will remain ignored. Yet we have substantial financial and voting power that we continually underuse.

puffyshirt on April 15, 2009 at 6:02 pm

Somehow, I am not surprised that Whole Foods would stoop this low. But I agree that anyone who cares about the survival of Western civilization shouldn’t even set foot there anymore.
Another company that appears to be run by hippie holdovers is the one that produces Kashi cereals (if you’ve seen their commercials). The ones who proclaim in their ads, “Seven whole grains . . . on a mission.” Wonder if those “seven whole grains” are likewise promoting a pro-jihad/anti-Israel agenda, as Whole Foods clearly is?

ConcernedPatriot on April 15, 2009 at 11:44 pm

I find it amusing that when the Arabs wanted a name they chose Palestine and not Canaan. a deceitful play on words… both of them I was wondering about the brand Debbie. you are insightful as always. thanks

Noah David Simon on August 20, 2009 at 6:44 am

Debbie, your info is invaluable. I know there are many more companies out there doing the same and I think we are all looking forward to any future insight that you might provide.

G-d Bless You!

Jean on August 20, 2009 at 9:10 am

palestinians i can understand, although rooted in terror and lies they are trying to survive, and although they are Israels sworn enemies (and mine) they act naturally, cant blame them.
what i dont understand is that snotty nosed Jessie Walker who basically invested in a reply believing the crap he writes, its sickening to know a company like Whole Foods emplys such crap. i will certainly try to make those 17% drop in profits Matt Andrejczak mentioned in his reply to tumble even further. at least in my turf NYC. thank you for this piece.

Shai Canaan on August 20, 2009 at 8:55 pm

I practically live in Whole Foods. I just cannot believe this. I am truly disappointed in Whole Foods. I will start living at Trader Joes.

Liz on August 21, 2009 at 12:52 am

What kind of garbage is this! God damn you, Debbie. All my neighbors and I will start shopping at Whole Foods. It’s better now to go in there without seeing you riffraffs.

RegularJoe on August 21, 2009 at 4:23 pm

Here in San Antonio, Texas we have only one Whole Foods and Trader Joes hasn’t made it here yet. We also have a store called Sun Harvest, which belongs to Henry’s Markets, that stocks Dr. Bronner’s. Kinda limits shopping.

Ben on August 21, 2009 at 4:49 pm

First let me say that I was happy to see wholefoods CEO’s reply about the health care bill as well as his better ideas on alternatives to the government run plan, they were very informative and should be taken seriously. All things considered however, it will be easy to shop elsewhere cause Whole Foods doesn’t have a single store in Prince Georges County Maryland, never heard of Prince Georges County well, this county has the largest African American population in the country. They are the wealthiest African American population in the country and yet…no whole foods, despite their liberal credentials of open mindedness & inclusiveness, I mean I’m sure most of the whole foods folks voted for Obama, it looks like it’s more of the same limosene liberal thought, do as I say, not as I do. So as i said, it’s easy for me not to shop there.

The plumberswife on August 21, 2009 at 4:50 pm

The Whole Foods nearest me in Cleveland, Ohio does carry some Jewish brands because it is in a heavily populated Jewish area. I think we stop buying the Cannan Fair Trade and Dr. Bronner’s and put that company out of business, not Whole Foods. I am Gluten Intolerant and can only get certain foods at Whole Foods and no where else. I get sick from the Soymilk at Trader Joes (Rice Dream and Soy Dream make my stomach upset) and only the 365 brand doesn’t. I can’t drink cow’s or goat’s milk and this is the only option… Almond Breeze tastes funny to me. I have only bought gluten free foods at Whole Foods and never Olive Oil or Soaps, etc. Just don’t buy the brands that support the Palestinians but don’t boycott Whole Foods as they are doing some good for Jews (at least where I live)- they let you bring in your own knife to fillet a whole fish for you, they have a good amount of Kosher products and even have a small selection of Heimishe brands.

L: What?! Whole Foods is NOT “doing some good for the Jews.” Get a fricking clue. So, they carry Jewish foods and kosher products. Big deal. That’s because they want your money. They’re left-wing, not stupid. Palestinian Muslims who hate Jews sell Jewish tourists menorahs and Jewish stuff in the so-called West Bank. You think that means they’re our friends. Whole Foods helps fund and subsidize HAMAS recruitment and a university that glorifies blowing Jews up at a pizzeria. WAKE. THE. HECK. UP. You sound ridiculous whining that you must shop there because of soy milk. They sell that everywhere. Whole Foods also refuses to carry Israeli olive oil. And Whole Foods is sponsoring anti-Israel radio programming and the Rachel Corrie Foundation propaganda. My G-d, you are selfish. Think with your heart and brain for once, NOT with your stomach. You remind me of the Detroiters who told the media they didn’t want to stop eating at a restaurant that was funding Hezbollah because they liked the tabbouli. By the way, this isn’t a “Jewish” issue. Islamic terrorism isn’t a Jewish problem. It’s everybody’s problem. DS

Lori on August 21, 2009 at 6:22 pm

Trader Joe’s has sold Dr. Bronner’s for years.

You're an Idiot on December 30, 2009 at 2:36 pm

No one is perfect, Trader Joes, and others import foods from all around the world that could be made in AMERICA… pizza from Italy, kept frozen till you cook it.. How silly. Nice carbon footprint TJ… and they give you a nickel off if you bring your own bag.. what a joke. There is no solution other than to go to farmers markets,local farms, and grow your own. Dont buy into the hype from ANY chain store. there is more to every story..

JAHMAN on March 9, 2010 at 8:34 pm

You do realize that if you go to the world trade map and click Israel Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap shows up which is not a true Israeli Product to the best of my knowledge. It is ran mostly by Israeli Arabs and Palestinians. There are no Israeli Jewish Olives being used based on what I can see on the website. It seems to me that this company does not help Jewish farmers in any way. You would have to investigate this further, but if Israeli non arab products are being boycotted they would be breaking US anti Israel boycott laws.

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/wholetrademap/index.php

Ralph Levy on July 17, 2010 at 10:27 am

You would be hard pressed to find any Israeli wines there as well and they have a ton of wine from many countries available.

Barbara Gatta on August 1, 2011 at 9:45 am

I am disappointed to learn this about Whole Foods. I frequented it on a regular basis but will look for an alternative. I will not support such an establishment.

Shelley Bronowitz on August 3, 2011 at 4:02 pm

i did not know about whole food but now that i know, i will NEVER step in that store and will voice the message to all my friends and family.
i just dont understand the point in whole food arrogance persisting in their support of terrorism when our country is fighting terrorism and losing our soldiers’ lives on it.

joseph noormand on August 21, 2011 at 1:04 am

I use Dr. Bronner’s castille soap and will gladly switch over. Would anyone have a comparable product suggestion? I don’t care much for whole foods and love TJ!
I really like using natural products without chemicals and any suggestion to replace Dr. Bronners would be appreciated.
Thanks
B

Batya on September 2, 2011 at 12:45 pm

Um, Isn’t Dr. Bronner’s a JEWISH owned company. So you want to hurt Jews too? Shouldn’t you ask the Bronners if it is okay that you “stick up” for them?

John on September 7, 2011 at 12:34 am

Good information here. I love Trader Joes but did you see the article in Fortune mag Aug 23, 2011 it’s owned by a former NAZI from Germany! He died this past year, but that is really amazing (to me) all of us supporting such a person!?!

b kranzman on September 14, 2011 at 4:02 pm

Debbie, you are completely misconstruing the story and casting charitable organisations with no terror links as terrorists. Your actions are dishonest, conniving and blatant propaganda that denies Palestinian people of chance to live peacefully with their basic human rights protected.
Chris

Chris Carus on December 8, 2011 at 9:25 am

Trader Joe’s DOES sell Dr. Bronner’s. If you boycott every business that sells them, you’ll be making evert hung you consume at home, because virtually all the retailers America depends on for so many consumer goods sells Dr. Bronner’s. It’s a top seller. I boycott Dr. Bronner’s, but I have to live.

Abby on March 3, 2017 at 9:47 am

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