We at the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice salute the Olympia Food Co-op Board of Directors for their recent decision to institute a boycott of Israeli goods. We also applaud community and co-op members who have advocated on behalf of this measure. In our work, we have been witness to the lack of intention or will on the part of the Israeli and U.S. Governments to secure freedom, equality, self-determination and security for all in Israel/Palestine, and the inability of the international community to do so. We are keenly aware of Palestinians who have lived under oppression for over sixty years and of their Israeli counterparts who have felt the consequences of their government’s unjust policies — many of whom have struggled in solidarity with Palestinians for decades to change these policies. It has been too long. It is right for citizens of the world to act and to signal that we will not continue to tolerate this outrage that has brought such pain and grief to so many for so long. Step by step, action by action, we must build support for justice and equality for all in Israel/Palestine — support that government leaders will not be able to dismiss. Rachel Corrie took a stand in March 2003 for a Palestinian family whose home was threatened with demolition. We believe it fitting that the Olympia Food Co-op, of which she was a member, now stands with millions throughout the world who say, “Enough.” Thank you, Olympia Food Co-op, for your courage and resolve.
Respectfully,
Cindy Corrie on behalf of the Rachel Corrie Foundation
