Swedish (State Owned) company labels Golan wines "made in Israel-occupied Syrian territories."

Jerusalem Post ^ | Jun. 7, 2006 | DAVID STAVROU

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

Sweden's state-owned alcohol retail monopoly, Systembolaget, has labeled Israeli Golan and Yarden wines as "made in Israel-occupied Syrian territories."

According to the company's spokesman, Bjorn Rydberg, the decision was made after clients complained about the previous label, which stated the wine was made in Israel. The change was made after the company consulted with the Swedish Foreign Ministry.

"It's the ministry's recommendation that we are following," Rydberg said. However, "because of the criticism, we will consider changing the label again," he said.

Although Swedish Foreign Minister Jan Eliasson and his Israeli counterpart, Tzipi Livni met recently to discuss the visa granted to Hamas, some tension still remains over the labelling issue.

In April, Sweden pulled out of a European military exercise because of Israeli participation. And in May, Sweden hosted Hamas minister Atef Adwan. Adwan, who was invited by local politicians, was granted a visa to visit Sweden, which he also used to visit other European countries.

Systembolaget's decision is "upsetting and unfair," said Annelia Enochson, from Sweden's Christian Democratic Party. "It means Israel receives special treatment, and it also politicizes the state-owned alcohol company."

Rydberg maintained that the company was not trying to make a political statement. "We have no foreign policy ambitions," he said.

Systembolaget was created in the 19th century to minimize alcohol-related problems by selling alcohol in a responsible way. According to Systembolaget, alcohol consumption in Sweden, which used to be among the highest in Europe, is now among the lowest because of the principle of no private profit from alcohol sales. The company offers about 3,000 brands of beer, wine and spirits including five Israeli wines, and its catalogue is considered one of the most extensive in the world.

Although the alcohol system isn't always convenient for consumers, who can't buy alcohol in regular shops, the majority of Swedes support it. Nonetheless, the company's image has been marred recently by scandal.

In the past year, some employees were found guilty of bribery, and the managing director, who is the prime minister's wife, was given a generous pension deal that broke government guidelines.

[dighton]

Why don't they just label it "Jew Wine - Warning May Be Poison" and have done with it?

For red wines, they can also throw in the blood libel.

[ArrogantBustard]

Golan wines are excellent. My favorite is Sion Creek White.

Ahhhh! At last, an answer to the real question this thread raises. I'll have to look that up next time I go to "Total Wines & More" ...

[Petronski]

I should have said "these sandal-licking Swedish toadies make me sick."

[dennisw]

Very very nice. You can tell the author is Jewish. Here's another Israel article by him

[SJackson]

So essentially a Jew bought the land for Jews to live on 120 years ago. Started a winery for employment. For 19 of those 120 years, 1948-1967, Jews couldn't live or work there thanks to the Reich like racial laws of Syria. And the Swedes look to those 19 years to set their moral compass.

[dennisw]

What more can one expect from such idiots? Sweden has nothing better to do than annoy Israel while at the same time admitting hundreds of thousands of Muslim immigrants. Dumb dumb dumb dumb socialist atheists should find a bible and read the line about "reaping the whirlwind"

...For they sow the wind, and they reap the whirlwind...

[dervish]

"Among Tishbi’s best wines are whites that come off the southern Carmel Mountains, including its Sauvignon Blanc, softer and less aromatic than other International styles, and a wonderfully oaky Chardonnay. "

They make great brandy in a still imported from Remy Martin.

[RinaseaofDs]

Man, I couldn't agree more. I've been wondering if it is just me, but the WORLD is increasingly off its rocker. They are just going butts up to the Islamofascists and grabbing ankles.

[GaryMontana]

Yes, sadly the world is going insane. Europe is cowering even more so than during the 1930's. This time all of Europe will fall under the blanket of Islam.

To bad Sweden is SO STUPID

I will never purchase anything from Sweden again!

[SunkenCiv]

Note: this topic is from 2006.

According to Systembolaget, alcohol consumption in Sweden, which used to be among the highest in Europe, is now among the lowest because of the principle of no private profit from alcohol sales.

Huh?

In the past year, some employees were found guilty of bribery, and the managing director, who is the prime minister's wife, was given a generous pension deal that broke government guidelines.

[rmlew]

Sweden faces a budget crisis but has increased its importation of Muslims and foreign aid to the PLO. It is literally ethnically cleansing native Swedes in some towns by "buying" their properties and using them to consolodate Muslims refugee areas.
The anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats is the third or second largest party in Sweden depending on what polling you look at now. The minority government fell, but the ruling class averted elections by effectively suspending Democracy. There is now a grand coalition government with alternating left and right budgets to forestall elections until 2021.