Posted on 06/07/2006 5:36:05 AM PDT by 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.
Why don't they just label it "Jew Wine - Warning May Be Poison" and have done with it?
Bah.
Thank you Tsar Peter!
The Swedes have buckled. They have a waaaay to high rape rate by "men of arab decent" against their young women and instead of kicking their asses for it .... they have pulled down their own skirts in fear.
The world is going nutjob right before our eyes.
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I think Sweden had better look for another universe to hide in, because this one was created by He who created israel.
This is silly. The Golan Heights used to be part of British Palestine. In the late 1920s, the area was ceeded to French-controlled Syria,
in exchange for French recognition of some other British claims in the Middle East.
All this was part of the fall-out after World War I.
Most of the borders of the Middle East are artificial creations of European diplomats (Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq); and have nothing to do with traditional ethinic homelands (Israel, Kurdistan, Armenia, etc.)
The question is: Is Israel occupying the land where the grapes were grown?
I think Sweden had better look for another universe to hide in, because this one was created by He who created Israel.
*****
AMEN!!!
Rev 6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
Rev 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
"because of the criticism, we will consider changing the label again," he said.
This says it all. All their decisions are made not based on principle, but based on who whines the loudest. based on that, they should change labels every day.
Why don't they just label it with a big yellow star?
The jihadis are definitely taking over Sweden. There are parts of the city OCCUPIED by the MUSLIMS of Gothenburg where the police don't go simply because it is too dangerous.
Sweden has some beautiful women too bad they will soon be wearing Burka's
Why don't they just label it with a big yellow star?
Since the Golan was seized by Israel during a war in which it (Israel) was invaded, since Israel has therefrom occupied that place continuously, and since Syria and Israel do not as of yet have a peace treaty, this territory is disputed. It would be incorrect for a Swedish government-owned entity to "award" the territory to either party to this dispute via the labeling of a product from the place. Unfortunately, there may not be any good way to properly label the product.
In principle, I see no reason why prohibiting Israel from annexing the Golan. As a practical matter, Israel has not done this, as it has desired to settle this matter, among others, through the negotiation of a peace treaty. But, with the passage of time, the hope for a negotiated peace treaty fades, Israel will have to face the fact that it will have to settle this matter on its own, so that the people who are involved can start to go about their lives, such as by producing wine.
The Golan situation is similar to the borders between the embryonic Palestinian state and Israel. After decades, it is time for peace, and if the Palestinians cannot bring themselves to the negotiating table, then Isreal will have to, on its own, decide the borders, build a fence, and say good riddance to the Palestinians.
Maybe, in a couple hundred years, if and when the Syrians and the Palestinians become decent, civilized nations, instead of thugs and criminals posing as religious fanatics, we can normalize relations with them.
FRmail me to be added or removed from this Judaic/pro-Israel/Russian Jewry ping list.
Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.
Thank you Tsar Peter!
The really funny thing was that Sweden's King (Charles?) had Peter trapped and ripe for the kill, but the King's minions muffed the opportunity. When Charles found out he rushed to the front, peeked his head above the barricades to quickly judge the situation for himself, and took a musketball right between the eyes.
Peter the Great was also Peter the Pretty Lucky.
That notwithstanding, this dastardly cowardace on the part of the swedes is revolting. Their "utopia" is in serious need of total obliteration, and it looks like they have chosen the method of their demise.
How, then, does the re-labeling further the intent of "responsible" drinking? Is this clown taking propaganda lessons from Baghdad Bob?
I think I will carry labels around with me for whenever I spot a Swedish product. They will read:
"Made in Former Nazi Factory"
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