An Israeli news channel reported on Friday that Israeli Arabs are calling for a boycott of Zara after its franchise owner hosted a far-right political figure Itamar Ben Gvir for an election campaign event in Raanana this week, according to a report.
People set fire to Zara clothing after a get-together organised by Joey Schwebel, chairman of Trimera Brands, the Israeli franchise holder for Zara.
The November 1 election is predicted to result in as many as 12 Otzma Yehudit seats, headed by Mr Ben Gvir, an ultra-nationalist faction. Religious Zionism is a bloc.
Protesters burned ZARA clothes after Israeli franchise owner Joey Schwebel hosted a campaign event for ultra-nationalist Itamar Ben Gvir. Israeli Arabs are calling for a boycott of the brand.
Arab lawmaker Ahmed Tibi called out to Mr Schwebel, who holds Canadian and Israeli citizenship, to renounce his Israeli nationality.
During a session of the Knesset, chairman Avi Tibi and member Baruch Marzel got into a heated argument about the clothing store Zara. Marzel, who is a great fan of the store, took the opportunity to express his appreciation in a reply to Tibi’s comment, which expressed his distaste for the store.
A video of Rahat Mayor Faiz Abu Sahiban burning clothes allegedly purchased from Zara went viral.
Even the mayor of Rahat, Fahat Paeizan, has put on a kippah to demonstrate his support for the city’s new denim factory.
Israel will hold its fifth national election in four years in November.
Former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will face off against centrist Prime Minister Yair Lapid in the ballot, representing a coalition of right-wing and ultra-religious parties against a camp spanning left and right.
Ben Gvir’s “Jewish Power” party’s joint list is predicted to win as many as 13 of parliament’s 120 seats, making him a kingmaker of a conservative coalition. He is 46 years old.
In 2007, Ben Gvir was convicted of racist incitement and of supporting a blacklisted group on both the Israeli and US terrorism lists. He has recently attempted to portray himself as a moderate voice for the far right.
He said that he no longer promotes the expulsion of all Palestinians, only those he considers traitors or terrorists.
According to Ben-Gvir (2012), anyone who raises a hand against a soldier, anyone who opposes the State of Israel, or anyone who wants to turn Israel into Palestine rather than what it is, does not belong there.
Image Credit: AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, File
