Support for shop boycotts

A SURVEY in Manchester found 62 per cent of people agreed with boycotting “Jewish-owned shops” in the city as picketers of the Kedem cosmetic store claim pro-Israel demonstrators have teamed up with the far right.

Local news site Mancunian Matters posed the question: “Are Palestine supporters right to protest outside Jewishowned shops in Manchester?” Editor David Keane said his site was contacted by readers concerned by the escalation of city centre protests and he had wanted to address the issue.

The daily pickets of the Kedem cosmetics store continue despite calls by police for protesters to rethink.

Ten--year-old pictures of Kedem’s coowner during his Israeli army draft service have been shared on boycott organisers’ Facebook page to garner support. The page, whose logo states “no occupation, no antisemitism” also spread claims that pro-Kedem supporters are joined by the English Defence League and the National Front.

Shop owner Zahi Surezki said the claims were ridiculous.”