"Ann Arbor Jews protest Israel fundraiser"
ARAB AMERICAN NEWS
http://www.arabamericannews.com/newsarticle.php?articleid=1307
By Danielle Smith -- ANN ARBOR - Protesters stood outside theYpsilanti Marriott here this week on Palestine Solidarity Day in an effort to confront the guests of the Jewish Federation of Washtenaw County's fourth annual fundraising event. Palestine Solidarity Day observes the anniversary of the UN Partition Plan of 1947 which created the State of Israel on Palestinian land.
The protest was a silent vigil organized by Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends (JWP & F) and took place on November 27th.. Blaine Coleman, one protester, said, "Raising money for Israel, when the Israeli state is so thuggishly robbing and killing Palestine, is wrong."
The event was sponsored in part by Ford Motor Company.
Howard Schultz, Chairman and CEO of Starbucks Coffee, was the featured speaker. Schultz has long been a lightning rod of controversy due his support of Israel. In 1998 he was honored by the Jerusalem Fund of Aish HaTorah with "The Israel 50th Anniversary Friend of Zion Tribute Award" for his services to the Jewish state in "playing a key role in promoting close alliance between the United States and Israel". The Jerusalem Fund of Aish HaTorah funds the largely discredited website honestreporting.com and has been accused of illegally funding Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Likud party.
The Jewish Federation claims that it initiates, coordinates, and supports activities here at home and around the world that strengthen Jewish life. JWP & F's founder Henry Herskovitz claims most of the more than half a million dollars raised at the dinner each year goes directly to Israel.
Neal Elyakin of Ann Arbor is the new federation president and is also a founder of the "Michigan Friends of the Israel Defense Forces," an organization that has outraged many Arab Americans in the Michigan community and which has recently been involved in an advertising scandal with local banks.
Herskovitz actually purchased a hotel room at the Marriott so the security guards could not kick him out went he went inside.
Henry said, "After the protest I went into the hotel lobby bar with my Free PalestineT-Shirt to watch attendees leaving the conference. I saw (U. S. Rep.) John Dingell, Ann Arbor Police Chief Dan Oates, Joan Lowenstein, Leigh Greden, four Ann Arbor city Councilpersons and four rabbis of Ann Arbor - Rob Dobrusin of Beth Israel, Bob Levy of Temple Beth Emeth, Aharon Goldstein of Chabad House, and his son Rabbi Alter Goldstein, of an unknown congregation.
"The security told me I was smart to buy a room 'or you would be so out of here...' "
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