Thousands of people sign internet petition calling for consumers' boycott on Swedish companies, reported Ynet. IKEA unmoved: 'We are not political, and we'll continue our excellent relations with Israeli consumers'.
Thousands of Israelis on Sunday signed an internet petition calling for a consumers' boycott on Swedish home products retailer IKEA, as well as other companies from the Scandinavian country, including vehicle maker Volvo, Absolut Vodka, and fashion chain H&M.
The petition was initiated following a Swedish newspaper report accusing Israel Defense Forces soldiers of harvesting Palestinians' organs.
The website which published the petition explained that "after the anti-Semitic publication and the blood libel against IDF soldiers, and the refusal of Sweden's foreign minister and prime minister to condemn this report, there is no way that we can continue buying products made in Sweden. Don't settle for signing the petition. Real action is needed."
The petition was initiated by Moran Hajbi, 27, an archaeology and Land of Israel studies student. Hajbi, a former Golani Brigade fighter who lives in Mitzpe Yericho in the Judean Desert, only realized the power of his petition on Sunday afternoon.
"I suddenly remembered that I had not signed it myself, and added my name somewhere around the 900th slot," he says. "I am simply a citizen who cares and cannot stand idly by in light of the publication of the Swedish blood libel."