Dafka

The Palestinian Trojan Horse and Jewish

Institutions

Jewish news media was all atwitter with a news report about Camp Solomon Schecter in Washington state, a more than 60 year-old Jewish educational day camp, that states on its website that “Jewish camp can be one of the most rewarding and influential experiences a child has. A summer at Camp Solomon Schechter raises self-confidence, builds decision-making skills, improves social skills, and enables children to reach inside themselves and discover talents and abilities they never knew they had. These benefits last a lifetime - in fact, Jewish camping has been identified as one of the most important influences a child can have in building Jewish identity and commitment.” At issue was that the camp’s director and head administrator, Sam Perwin, chose to fly a PLO flag over the campgrounds for the world to see. This action was on the heels of several bloody terrorist attacks on Jews throughout Israel and Judea and Samaria including the Temple Mount that left several Israelis dead, both Jewish and non-Jewish, even an entire family, acts that were praised by the Palestinian leadership that such a flag represents.

A call to Sam Perwin, however, showed that decision-making and social skills from the camp’s director are sadly lacking. When asked in an interview whose idea was it to raise the PLO flag over the camp, Perwin immediately said arrogantly it was his alone, then he abruptly hung up the phone. He earlier said in other media it was suggested to him by the “Interfaith Peace Group” Kids4Peace, then changed the story again saying it was his idea alone, then again, the group’s suggestion.

Perwin ultimately apologized to the Jewish community, but was this sincere? Further research and a brief phone conversation with one of Perwin’s subordinates revealed Perwin did indeed make his decision during a visit to the camp by Kids4Peace. Perwin did so to promote “dialog”, he said, with a delegation of Muslim, Christian and Jewish children who visited as part of the Kids4Peace program. It seems unlikely that to Perwin, the idea of mounting a terrorist flag waved by Jew-killers over a Jewish day camp was an example of just how the Solomon Schecter camp’s director instills in his wards “benefits that last a lifetime.” But what Perwin has refused to recognize until this day was that he purposely allowed a Trojan Horse into a Jewish institution affecting Jewish youth to side against Israel for the future. Pro-Israel Jews fell into the trap of declaring this event as just another example of “liberalism” run amok among the Jewish community when the scenario is far more sinister.

In 2003 and 2005, the Palestine Solidarity Movement held conferences at Ohio State and Duke university where seminars were held and plans were conceived to drive a wedge between American Jewish and Christian support for Israel, formerly deemed unbreakable, to end the Jewish state. Attendees were told this was achievable by their activists joining Jewish federations, day schools (and day camps) and other Jewish functions to promote the idea of Israel as a human rights violator and promoter of “genocide” against Arabs, a result of the “occupation.” Such activists and groups would act as a Trojan Horse to set the tone from within and target especially students and the young so future generations of young Jews who would be opposed to a Jewish state in the Middle East. Anyone who has witnessed what is going on at American colleges can see how such a plan has been growing rapidly. Once fueled originally by Saudi and Iranian money, it now is swimming in money from certain philanthropic organizations that promote George Soros style “social justice,” such as the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Fund and the U.S. State Department. This “social justice” front even fooled the World Zionist Organization into unwittingly donating money to the BDS movement.

As for Kids4Peace, one might argue how anyone could be against children. But the PLO and Arab terror groups have always used children as the cover for their fundraising. The Holy Land Foundation trial that was the biggest fundraising scheme ever closed down by Homeland Security always presented itself as a charity for children when it really raised money for terrorists in Hamas.

Kids4Peace is no different.

If one looks at the leaders of Kids4Peace and its Board of Directors the concept of a Trojan Horse comes into view: The President is Diane Nancekivell, who is, along with her spouse, a major sustaining donor to Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA) and has been so over several years according to the FOSNA newsletters. If one reads these newsletters, they are virulently anti-Semitic and filled with writings and lectures by ISM anti-Semites. The Anti-Defamation League, in a report to law enforcement, has described Sabeel as “…the “voice for Palestinian Christians” against Israel’s policies and has been a driving force behind various Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns against Israel, including those initiated by mainline Protestant churches in the U.S.” In 2013 and 2014, Nancekivell and her spouse were both listed as Sustaining Donors of Sabeel which is a Christian front for the Arabs designed to drive a wedge between American Christians and support for Israel. FOSNA is also a major part of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) that organizes the weekly riots in the West Bank and promotes BDS worldwide. Sabeel teaches “Palestinian Liberation Theology” in U.S. Churches where Palestinians replace the Jews in the Bible and Jesus is said to be not Jewish but a Palestinian. Sabeel is fiercely anti-Semitic and spreads that message to all churches according to NGO Monitor.

Sabeel’s newsletter also has listed as guest speakers and workshop teachers various leaders of the ISM who call for Israel’s destruction such as terrorism supporter Ali Abunimah, Middle East Children’s Alliance’s Barbara Lubin, and many other virulently anti-Israel and anti-Semitic groups all of which promote BDS and always praise terrorism as “resistance.” Sabeel also receives funds from American Muslims for Palestine that the Investigative Project has stated is a front for Hamas. The list of similar funders and supporters, such as the anti-Semitic Marxist front group Jewish Voice for Peace, that are all calling for boycotts or the end of Israel as a Jewish state that “occupies” “Palestine” is endless.

With a closer look at Kids4Peace’s Board of Directors one finds Abi Raik who served for nine years also on the Board of Directors of World Vision. World Vision is an anti-Semitic Christian organization now accused of being complicit in funneling $4 million to Hamas, which they used to build tunnels to conduct terror attacks. Another board director, the Reverend Judith Stuart, leads Witness trips to the West Bank where she has tourists “witness” alleged abuse of the Arabs by Israel. Kids4Peace also has hosted as a speaker, board member Mae Cannon. Cannon was Director of Public affairs for World Vision during the time the West Bank chapter of the organization was taken over by Hamas. Cannon is now head of the anti-Israel Churches for Middle East Peace that actively also promotes BDS.

Then there is the question of money. Kids4Peace received a grant for $800,000 from USAID, the U.S. State Department, then another one for $77, 500 from the U.S. taxpayer-supported U.S. Institute for Peace. That’s just a few drops in the bucket for this moneymaking operation worldwide. Kids4Peace was founded in 2002 in Jerusalem.

When queried if Camp Solomon Schecter Executive Director Sam Perwin was given remuneration either directly or through a donation to the Camp by Kids4Peace, leadership at Kids4Peace stonewalled repeated inquiries. Perwin, who changed his story more than once about the PLO flag, also would not talk to reporters. At the same time, Kids4Peace founder, Yakir Englander, titled as Director of a “Dialog for Action” department of Kds4Peace, claimed the non-profit has no money despite nearly the one million dollars cited above and many other donors. He further stated that regarding questions of any money paid out to Camp Schecter, it was necessary to speak with Executive Director Father Josh Thomas, the current top leader of Kids4Peace. Despite numerous requests for information, Father Thomas would not respond even when asked to by the Kids4Peace founder himself. Father Thomas has been linked to other BDS movements. Despite this, Thomas managed to speak before AIPAC. In addition, Kids4Peace leaders like Englander have stated they see nothing wrong with Boycotting Israel.

These “Interfaith” front groups serve a purpose, not for peace, but to allow young Jewish kids to be indoctrinated with the Palestinian narrative so they will grow up and be opposed to a Jewish state described repeatedly as an “occupation.” That is the wedge between US support for Israel that the Palestinians hope to create and they are well on their way. There are enough Jews and Christians who are more than willing to help along in this subversive scheme for money, sinecures and prestige. Groups like J Street and If Not Now that all are also funded by the Soros bloc are making great strides with college students and the adolescent Jewish market. The Palestinian ISM leader in the village of B’ilin who leads riots every week against IDF soldiers and the security Barrier is a convicted terrorist killer named Basem Tammimi. He recently spoke before a group of third graders in upstate New York about an “Intifada” and at UC Berkeley sponsored by FOSNA. He was brought to the US with money and help from just this type of “interfaith group” that links to Kids4Peace.

Further evidence shows that the director of the Kids4Peace organization has led other anti-Israel indoctrination tours which also partnered with Holy Land Trust, Israel Committee Against House Demolitions, and directly with Sabeel, all ISM-linked groups promoting BDS. Sami Awad of Holy Land Trust, an ISM and Sabeel apparatchik is also active in this front group mix.

If anyone still has doubts about all this, they need only to look at a brochure put out by Kids4Peace that shows its leader posing with Siraj Wahaj, who is an unindicted co-conspirator in the first World Trade Center bombing in 1993 and has "preached that the bombing was a terrorist attack staged by the U.S. government and possibly Israel as a ‘conspiracy’ against Islam.” Englander and Wahaj pose arm in arm on the cover of the promotional brochure. This is the face of a non-profit that wants to create a “teachable moment” for Jewish day camp pupils at a young age.

Jewish schools and other places of Jewish learning need to stop this indoctrination and not simply claim it’s a liberal vs. conservative issue when it is subversive activity to bring down a Jewish state by misinforming future generations of young Jews and Christians. What better place to start than a in a Jewish day school camp that flies the PLO flag? The evidence is there and should be heeded for all concerned as it doesn’t bring peace, but is just more war by deception to end Israel as a Jewish state.

Olive oil is not only a food product, but a commodity that is extremely valuable. This agency previously showed that BDS leader and ISM activist Paul Larudee has laundered funds he sends to Gaza under the false name Arlington Market, but, besides this, Larudee has been involved for several years in selling “pure Palestinian extra-virgin olive oil” he bottles here in America by hand by as many ISM activists Larudee can sucker to work for free for him to do so. He arranges “olive oil bottling parties” where he gets BDS and ISM activists (other Israel haters) like himself to work for free bottling the olive oil that he sells at street fairs and especially on the Internet to benefit “Palestine.” Larudee not only makes his living doing this, but he has also developed over the years a lucrative business that raises money to ultimately fund Hamas (not to mention himself and BDS) through the illicit sales of olive oil he claims is the product of “poor Palestinian farmers”.

Olive oil fraud is such a good business that even the Mafia has been involved in production and exploitation. Trade experts have stated that more money can be made selling olive oil fraudulently than can be made with drugs. Thus, it comes as no surprise that Larudee, who should have been jailed years ago for aid and support for terrorist groups such as Hamas , continues to operate his olive oil scam in blatant violations of U.S. laws. What’s also distressing is that U.S. law enforcement, from the FBI to the FDA has been feckless in doing something about it.

The Israeli government controls exports of agricultural products from the Palestinian Authority (West Bank and Gaza) due to threats of terrorism by poisoning. Palestinian terror leaders have tried on more than one occasion to poison the Israeli water supply so the Israelis take this seriously.

Despite his advertised claims that the olive oil he sells is made by poor impoverished Palestinian farmers merely trying to eke out a living, the olive oil that Larudee and company have been hand bottling here in the US cannot be what he says it is. Israel until recently, in fact, did not allow the exportation of raw olives or olive paste from the Palestinian Authority for security reasons. In addition, Larudee falsely advertises and labels that his bottles contain “cold pressed pure extra virgin olive oil” from “Palestine.”

Research into the olive oil trade has revealed that Larudee is more likely purchasing olives within the US market then bottling them, selling the oil as “Palestinian” olive oil to an unwary public. Industry experts advise that olive oil, especially the pure extra virgin kind is very difficult to import because it spoils within two days of the produce being picked. Likewise, any oil bottled at the growth site spoils during shipment by sea on pallets.

The National Olive Oil Association of America ( NAOOA .org) is the trade group that seeks to assure quality and responsibility in the USA while the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for olive oil standards. The USDA defines olive oil grading in much the same way as the International Olive Council IOC , but while the standards are voluntary in Europe, in the USA it is fraud if there is a claim of USDA grade on the bottle label or case.

Larudee deceptively puts on his labels “USDA Organic” which has a different meaning than most consumers understand. In fact, the FDA does set the standards for the USA which extends to using processing facilities that Larudee has consistently violated. Nor does he provide proof of such certification on his labels (probably because none exists). Of more importance, bottled olive oil is required in the U.S. to have nutritional information on the outside label . Larudee does not provide these guides among his many violations.

The FDA requires that bottled olive oil be processed in an FDA approved facility that receives twice yearly inspections by FDA. The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 ( the Bioterrorism Act ) directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as the food regulatory agency of the Department of Health and Human Services, to take steps to protect the public from a threatened or actual terrorist attack on the U.S. food supply and other food-related emergencies.

Larudee has been rubbing elbows with designated terrorist group Hamas for years. There are even photos of him shaking hands with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyah and on another occasion his receiving an award from the terrorist group. Larudee was also caught and deported from Israel when he went there to meet with Hamas operatives, later going to Lebanon to work with Hezbollah, another designated terrorist group. More recently funds he sought to send to Hamas infested Gaza were frozen then returned to him by Mellon Bank due to suspicions of laundering funds for terrorism. The FBI did nothing.

Larudee routinely bottles his olive oil in an old ramshackle house in Berkeley, California known as the Grassroots House , a shared meeting house with other radical and/or communist groups a few blocks from the UC Berkley campus. In the past, he sometimes did so from his home in Emeryville, California. He prepares the olive oil in a shared communal kitchen in the Berkeley building with no FDA clearing for sanitation. His pro-BDS volunteers who help him wear no hair nets and there is no making sure they even wash their hands, or follow minimum sanitation requirements.

The Federal Trade Commission also requires truth in labeling for olive oil products, another violation by Larudee and his BDS gang. Mislabeling of olive oil is a continuing problem according to the FTC. FTC regulations state “The FTC and the FDA have overlapping jurisdiction to regulate the advertising and labeling of foods. Section 403(a) of the FDCA prohibits the ‘misbranding’ of food which includes labeling that ‘is false or misleading in any particular. This shared jurisdiction over labeling and advertising of food products operates pursuant to a longstanding Memorandum of Understanding between the agencies. Under this agreement, the FDA exercises primary responsibility for regulating food labeling, while the FTC assumes primary responsibility for ensuring that advertising of food products is truthful and not misleading.

Larudee’s olive oil bottle labels read that his Hurriya bottled olive oil is “pure extra virgin olive oil” when it is not. To verify this mislabeling , this news agency hired Anresco Laboratories in San Francisco , an FDA approved food testing facility. Testing just one bottle of Larudee’s olive oil cost over $400 which professional olive oil bottlers and producers pay regularly to assure FDA quality for the end user. Each new lot of olive oil requires such sample testing . In fact, such testing can be like playing the whack-a-mole game where one bottle might pass while others are not the same quality. The difference between “extra virgin olive oil” and lesser quality oil is determined by the acidity level in the oil . Cheaters who intentionally mislabel their products’ acidity levels are guilty of fraud according to the FDA and FTC rules.

In the case of the Hurriya olive oil test, the acidity level showed that Larudee’s product is not the extra virgin quality claimed on the label. Genuine “extra virgin olive oil” usually commands a higher price from consumers, about $20 a bottle on average. Larudee charges $20 per bottle for his product, part of the proceeds going into his own pocket besides helping to fund the BDS movement or generating money to be sent to Gaza and potentially Hamas. The test noted excessive amounts of filth patently visible in the bottle and that it was not extra virgin olive oil at all .

Besides cheating buyers of his olive oil, Larudee and his Norcal-ISM that produce the product are also cheating the public out of tax dollars due on sales. Queries given to the city finance and business tax collection and health departments of both the cities of Berkeley and Emeryville , Ca., require that sales be reported on a regular basis to compute business taxes owed. Both cities reported that not only does Larudee not have a permit to bottle olive oil from the city or county health departments (nor from the state of California), he has been cheating these government agencies and the public out of taxes due on sales. Other businesses are required to report their sales to pay city taxes based on those numbers that he has avoided for at least the last ten years. This also means he is not reporting those numbers to the IRS on a federal level. While his Norcal ISM has nonprofit tax status as an “educational nonprofit,” he nevertheless is required to keep records and report his sales when he is engaged in selling a product for profit in case of a necessary recall if a threat to the public health emerges. Larudee does not do this.

So here we have a booster for the Hamas terrorist group bottling his product in a non-sterile FDA approved kitchen in Berkeley or El Cerrito, Ca where he resides, misrepresenting his bottled product through fraudulent labeling and evading taxes to benefit the BDS Movement and himself. Larudee once wrote a letter about his pleasure at sleeping in the bed of a suicide bomber and stated he recognizes the Palestinians’ right to violence to achieve their goals . Most people would not feel comfortable consuming a food product prepared by a Hamas apparatchik if they knew more about it. Would you want someone who works closely with Hamas preparing your food?

California has just begun clamping down on misrepresented olive oil products like Larudee sells to fund the BDS Movement. This might explain why he is now looking to import pre-bottled olive oil from a Palestine Fair Trade Association set up by the PLO to bypass scrutiny in the U.S. market. Importing pre-bottled olive oil usually means the product will not have the freshness needed to assure proper quality as required in the U.S. market that the EU is more willing to overlook. The EU is also more willing to overlook misrepresentation of the olive oil product. The Palestine Fair Trade Association website says that olive oil will be certified as labeled properly through the “Fair Trade Labeling Association of Germany” (FLO), yet only a few lines later reads , “FLO has not yet developed international product specific guidelines for olive oil.”

One thing is certain: the likelihood of Paul Larudee and his BDS activists at Norcal ISM providing a corrected product to the consuming public is very remote. Current U.S. FDA standards for bottling and labeling olive oil must be adhered to in the U.S. market for health and consumer products and Larudee’s using a shill trade association administered by the PLO government in Jenin is unlikely to change past practices of ignoring uncleanliness, mislabeling and tax evasion. Larudee has long violated U.S. Customs regulations also that require that bottled olive oil products as sold by Larudee’s Nor-Cal ISM to raise funds for BDS must say “product of the West Bank” (a recent political development since U.S. Customs used to require they read “Made in Israel”). Currently, and for over 10 years, Larudee’s bottles have been labeled “Produced by Palestinian farmers in Israeli occupied Palestine and packed by volunteers of the International Solidarity Movement in Berkeley, California.”.

By bringing in pre-bottled goods as he suggests he will be doing, Larudee risks bringing in spoiled olive oil because the transport time for the oil will result in spoilage. Despite being sent via “Palestine Fair Trade Association,” the labels also state the product is packed in the United States requiring the same permits, health and sanitation inspections and true labeling that Larudee to date has not been doing, not to mention tax reporting on sales. Even if he continues bottling the oil here and selling it, repeated violations of U.S. Custom requirements on truth in labeling calls for such bottles if imported to be destroyed on entry to the United States.

Readers are encouraged to send copies of this article to the enforcement agencies below to hopefully see some action with the change in a new administration coming in Washington. In particular, U.S. Customs has a new e-allegation email system readers can write to electronically. A US Customs source has recommended this article be copied simultaneously to the reader’s congressional representatives.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20993
1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)

Bureau of Consumer Protection
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20580

1947 Center Street, Berkeley, CA 94704
TEL: (510) 981-7200, TDD: (510) 981-7250, FAX: (510) 981-7210
Office Hours: Mon-Thurs, 8:30am-4:00pm, Email: finance@cityofberkeley.info

n any case, her arrest and removal by the Egyptian authorities is the first concrete step taken toward reining in Hamas in Gaza. Hamas has been aligning itself more and more with Iran who Benjamin also supports more and more that also poses a security concern for Egypt.