The CEO of Cape Union Mart (CUM) has denied pro-Palestinian protesters’ claims that he contributes to Israel’s ‘war fund.’
Also read: Pro-Palestinian supporters call for boycott of Africa Padel
Protests were recently held at the clothing and outdoor apparel retailers’ stores across the country as part of a targeted boycott.
Speaking to the Cape Argus last week, the SA Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) coalition’s co-ordinator, Roshan Dadoo, said that CUM had targeted the owner, Philip Krawitz, after he spoke at a public rally pledging Cape Town’s support for Israel, adding that the aim was to raise money for the Israeli war fund.
Krawitz, on the other hand, denied this, clarifying that he had pledged to ‘support the Victims of Terror Fund in collaboration with organisations such as the Zionist Federation.’
The CUM Group met with representatives from Cosatu and the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (Sactwu) to discuss staff issues.
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CUM said in a statement following the meeting that it had never donated money to the Israeli army.
‘The Cape Union Mart Group has only contributed to humanitarian projects in South Africa. The company has not donated funds to any institutions outside of South Africa. The Cape Union Mart Group has never donated funds to Israel, the Israeli army or any other army.
‘Philip Krawitz, in his personal capacity, has also never donated funds to the Israeli army (or any other army).
‘Philip Krawitz is a philanthropist who supports purely humanitarian projects in South Africa and Israel in his personal capacity.
‘He has made contributions to poverty alleviation and peace and reconciliation projects for several years, as is his constitutional right.’
However, BDS has rejected CUM’s claims as ‘disingenuous and a ‘lie’.
In a statement in reaction to CUM’s claims, BDS said: ‘Krawitz was honoured by Keren-Hayesod, ‘the preeminent fundraising organisation for Israel’ in 2015.
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Update: Pro-Palestinian supporters march to police station after arrests
Picture: Murray Swart / Cape {town} Etc
