”Reebok cancels sneaker celebrating “Israel’s independence

Ali Abunimah

International sportswear maker Reebok has canceled and repudiated plans to market a special edition sneaker celebrating what Israel calls its “Independence Day.”
“Reebok would like to distance itself from the shoe,” the US-headquartered company told The Electronic Intifada in an emailed statement on Tuesday.

“The shoe was a one-off initiative from one of our consumers. We do not support this initiative.”
Reebok, which is owned by Germany’s Adidas Group, added that its Israel distributor “has withdrawn its plans to auction off this shoe.”

Palestinians are welcoming the move.
“Reebok has distanced itself from this terribly offensive initiative after recognizing the reputational and financial price a BDS campaign against it would have cost it as a result,” Abdulrahman Abunahel, Gaza Coordinator of the Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC), told The Electronic Intifada.

“Companies as large as Veolia, Orange, CRH and others have ended their involvement in Israel’s serious violations of international law after intense boycott, divestment and sanctions campaigns, triggering a domino effect that many other companies are taking to heart,” Abunahel added.

Electronic Intifada- 10 May 2016