#BDSfail: Brussels Airlines returns Israeli snack to menu after public protests

 

After thousands took to social media to expressed their outrage over the carrier’s capitulation to BDS pressure to remove the Achva halva snack, the Belgian Airline’s CEO pledged to keep Israeli products on its menus.

By Ilan Gattegno

 

Brussels Airlines announced Monday that it will reintroduce a popular Israeli snack to its menu. The item was removed from the Belgian carrier’s in-flight dessert options in July following pressure by a Palestinian group associated with the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement.

Brussels Airlines no longer boycotting Israeli made halva

The airline had allegedly decided to take the Achva brand halva, an Israeli sesame snack, produced in a factory located in the Barkan Industrial Park in Judea and Samaria, off its menu following pressure from the Palestine Solidarity Movement, a group that often encourages the boycott of Israeli products.

The company denied allegations suggesting it was actively boycotting Israeli products, saying the decision regarding the halva dessert “was in no way a boycott, but rather a case of a mistaken order on the part of the caterer for a product we did not request.”

Israeli Ambassador to Belgium Simona Frankel met Monday with Brussels Airlines CEO Bernard Gustin, who assured her the airline had no political agenda and that it will continue to feature Israeli products on its menus, including those produced by Achva.

The Foreign Ministry had also contacted the airline on the issue, and following what was described as a “successful public diplomacy effort,” it was decided the sesame snack will once again be featured on the Brussels Airlines menu.

Tourism Minister Yariv Levin welcomed the decision, saying it was proof that “when Israelis and the Jews in the Diaspora join forces they can thwart any attempt to undermine and hurt Israel.”

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, also welcomed the decision.

“We must never cower before BDS efforts or anyone else trying to undercut the State of Israel,” he said. “I would like to invite Brussels Airlines executives to tour Judea and Samaria, so they can see with their own eyes the coexistence we have in Judea and Samaria.”

 

View original Israel Hayom publication at:
http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=36027