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The Tampa Bay Primer (www.tampabayprimer.org) reports that the YMCA has printed out a T-Shirt with a list of countries where one may find a YMCA presence. The only problem: they leave out Israel (even though there's a YMCA in Jerusalem - I was there) and include "Palestine" (a region that is not a country):
Which country is missing on a YMCA T-shirt?A new YMCA T-shirt lists the YMCAs around the world, except for one certain country.
On the front of the black YMCA shirt is a quote from Gandhi: “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” On the back is a list of countries that host the many Y’s worldwide.
Curiously, Palestine — a country that does not exist — is listed, while Israel is not.The shirts, meant to promote world peace, have been handed out at YMCAs throughout Canada to mark World Peace Week, Nov. 17-23.
The list is comprehensive enough to include countries like Madagascar, Malta and Zimbabwe.
If you donate any money to YMCA, please stop - find an alternative. Let them know the reason: they can't just erase Israel off the map and list a non-existing country without consequences (see the Palestine page for details).
Hi. My name is Paul Dunne and I am a member of the national board of the Canadian YMCA. The reason that Israel was not included on our peace week T shirt was because the names of the countries included were those where there is a national movement. The YMCA in West Jerusalem is a branch of the YMCA of the USA and there is no national movement in Israel. Israel was not the only country whose name was omitted. More important than the names of countries printed on a T-shirt is our commitment in the Canadian Y to lasting peace in Israel and to the end of violence against Israelis everywhere. We are an open organization with many jewish members and employees. The last CEO of the Canadian Y was jewish and the person who raised this issue initially in Montreal was - and still is - a jewish staff member. I hope your readers understand that the Canadian Y did not intend to offend jews or Israelis by omitting the name of Israel from the T shirt and we wish you all the peace you so greatly deserve. Shalom.
Posted by: Paul Dunne on December 8, 2002 05:17 AMAssuming Mr. Dunne's rebuttal is factual, I'm not convinced it is a satisfactory response. Above all, it does not address the issue of Palestine being listed as a country on the T shirt. How could anyone with half a brain think that Jews wouldn't be offended by the addition of Palestine on the T shirt? Why was no explanation (not even a flimsy one) offered?
Posted by: Lynn on December 8, 2002 07:58 AMall you jews can go to hell i hope you all die by burning at the stake, aid hitler!!!!!! achtung!!!!
i wish hitler finished the job
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(According to digits.com)