11 October 2009, report by Rose
Pro-Palestine Supporters picketed the start of a 5 day Israeli Tourism event held in Spitalfields market, East London. Despite efforts by Israeli security to get demonstrators to move, police made no efforts to move them on to the frstration of the Pro-Israel organisers.
To celebrate the new low cost Easy Jet route to Tel Aviv, Easy Jet are holding a five day event with a big orange bus touring the city to promote “Tel Avivian goodness”. It is being undertaken to further celebrate the city’s centenary. In response, Palestine activists from International Solidarity Movement, Palestine Solidarity Campaign and other groups protested in front of the Big Orange bus. In solidarity with the unified Palestinian call out for an economic and cultural boycott of Israel, protestors sought to show that tourism feeds the Israeli economy which in turn supports the illegal occupation of Palestinian lands.
The Israeli security there were clearly frustrated with the presence of activists and the police were duly called upon for support. In an ironic twist, the police gently requested protestors to move, and when protestors decided against this, no further action was taken. Israeli security and Easy Jet organisers were visibly frustrated and made numerous appeals to the police to move the protestors but failed to get the demonstrators to budge.
Most members of the public showed support with the protest and asked relevant questions with a few Israelis showing their opposition.
After a couple of hours, protestors left, pleased they had ruffled the feathers of those promoting Israeli tourism.
Please find below the promotion message for the event and the dates and locations for their five day tour.
“ To present EasyJet’s new route to the Big Orange and celebrate the city’s centenary, Tel Aviv will be coming to London this October!
For 5 days, a double-decker bus crammed full of Tel Avivian goodness will tour London and give a glimpse into the many facets of Tel Aviv’s character.
Day 1 – 11th October, Spitalfields Market, 10am – 5.30pm
Market Tel Aviv- enjoy the smells & tastes of Tel Aviv’s markets in the middle of East London – craft stalls, Turkish coffee, mint tea, shakshouka, olives, baklava, and live music.
Day 2 – 12th October, Leicester Square, 1pm – 5.30pm
Bohemian Tel Aviv – Day 2 sees a typical Tel Aviv coffee shop scene, replete with mismatched sofas & chairs, stacks of books, and a soundtrack provided by street performers & musicians.
Day 3 – 13th October, Coin Street, Southbank, 12pm – 6pm
Tel Aviv, city of beaches – enjoy sunbeds, beach umbrellas, beach balls, backgammon, matkot, live music, and a surfing simulator! And hopefully some sun .
Day 4 – 14th October, Broadgate, 9am – 7pm
Tel Aviv: 100% architecture, 100% Bauhaus – more examples of which are found in Tel Aviv than any other city in the world! Architecture aficionados should not miss Day 4’s outdoor photography exhibition & lecture.
Day 5 – 15th October, Old Truman Brewery, 5pm – 10.30pm
Tel Aviv nightlife – Day 5 will finish the tour with a party open to all, guaranteed to give a glimpse into just why Tel Aviv is known as the city that never sleeps – with a little help from DJs & dancers.”
It is hoped Pro-Palestine Activists will help picket and protest these events. All Israeli tourism feeds into the Israeli economy that supports the occupation.