Pashkavilim were displayed earlier in the week in Beit Shemesh’s Ramah Aleph neighborhood against the local branch of Yesh, a supermarket chain, opposing the employment of Arabs in the store.

The pashkavilim address “the danger to the community due to the employment of the illegal PA (Palestinian Authority) workers in Yesh”. The notice goes on to explain that when one shops at Yesh, one supports the Arab workers that endanger the lives and homes of residents.

According to Chadrei Chareidim, the pashkavilim were posted after community residents learned some of the Arab workers tried renting in the community. When they were unsuccessful, they tried to have a resident rent on their behalf.

The report adds that one resident seeking to rent a home was phoned by one of the store’s Arab workers and even though the response was “no” the worker persisted, continuing efforts to rent the available space. The report quotes an organizer of the campaign anonymously, adding “To date we did not consider a boycott but this may follow. We have stated clearly this represents a red line”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)