While efforts are continuing to boycott IKEA in response to the defamatory articles appearing in a Swedish newspaper accusing the IDF of killing Arabs to market their organs, HaRav Yitzchak Goldknopf is coming to the defense of IKEA, against the boycott. Goldknopf is best known for his boycott successes in which the chareidi tzibur targeted Shefa Shuk and El Al.

The rabbi explained that talks were conducted before the Netanya-based store opened, and management agreed to respect the frum and traditional communities by keeping the store closed on shabbos. Now, the rav feels a need to come to the defense of the store, calling efforts to organize a boycott unjustified.

“Before there can be a boycott which includes our tzibur, the matter must be presented to Gedolei HaDor Shlita” explained the rav. He feels the store is in no way responsible for a newspaper report originating in its home country, adding the company has enhanced Eretz Yisrael’s status by agreeing to close on shabbos and those seeking to strike out against Sweden should seek alternative ways to accomplish this goal.

Kikar Shabbos concludes that the Gur representative on the Vaad L’Shmiras Shabbos, R’ Goldknopf, reports that this is one boycott that will not include the chareidi tzibur.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)