| Israel Omitted from Fuji Co. Maps | |||
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| Netlore Archive | |||
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Email text contributed by Jackie Reckseit, 02/21/02:
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"Fuji Anti-Semitism"
Fuji Co. removed Israel from its complimentary world map that they give to their customers with the purchase. Yes, in Fuji stores abroad you receive the world map without Israel!!! According to Fuji, we just don't exist... It is most likely done to entice Arab customers. I am sure, that map without Israel makes Arabs happy, very happy... It is a very dangerous precedent - it looks like an indication that Arab calls for boycott of Israel start bearing fruits. Many Israelis today called for boycott of all Fuji products - film, cameras, batteries etc (see readers' responses in today's Yediot Aharonot). Luckily - there are alternatives: film - Kodak, Agfa, cameras - Nikon, Olympus, Samsung, Canon etc. I personally consider this Fuji's action the worst possible insult for our country and for me personally, and, until they apologize and re-print the map, I'm never buying anything made by Fuji and encourage you to do the same! Also, please spread the word around - I believe that Jewish buying power can do wonders. Even 3-5% reduction in Fuji's sales will cause them to reconsider. Also important to note - Subaru is Fuji. It somewhat narrows down selection of cars, but I still won't be able not to take it into consideration when the time comes. |
Comments: We have it on the authority of both Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. and the Anti-Defamation League that the above charges aren't true.
According to Fujifilm's statement:
No Fujifilm company or distributor published or distributed a map of the kind we have heard described, and Fujifilm in no way sanctioned the production of such a map.In looking into the matter, we have learned that a third party wholesaler in the Republique de Cote d'Ivoire (the Ivory Coast) produced a calendar with such a map. They did so on their own initiative, combining the map with our logo without our permission and in violation of our policy regarding the use of the Fujifilm logo.
Fujifilm is greatly disturbed that someone would violate our policies and link our company's good name to something we find unacceptable. As soon as we learned of the problem, corrective action was taken to stop the distribution of these calendars.
In spite of the small grain of truth that evidently inspired this message, it's difficult not to view it as merely a new variant of the 2000-vintage rumor alleging that Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores were selling world globes omitting Israel and featuring Palestine in its place. That, too, was false.
Nota bene: The automaker Subaru is not a division of Fuji Co., the film manufacturer, but rather of Fuji Heavy Industries, makers of automobiles, aerospace products and industrial equipment.
Sources and further reading:
The Fujifilm 'Map' Myth
From the Anti-Defamation League Website'Palestine,' Not Israel, Pushed to Sea in Wal-Mart Globe
Jewish World Review, 21 Dec 2000
Current Internet Hoaxes
The Urban Legends Top 25
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