Adidas requests 'clarifications' on Jerusalem Marathon route
Last week, I reported that three Jerusalem city councilors had called on Adidas to withdraw its sponsorship of the Jerusalem Marathon because it passes through 'east' Jerusalem. On Friday, Maariv reported in Hebrew that Adidas has requested 'clarifications' from the city. The sports giant Adidas, which is sponsoring the Jerusalem International Marathon, requested clarifications from the Jerusalem Municipality about the manner in which the event would be conducted [sic]. Sources in the company [say they] are even considering withdrawing the sponsorship because of fears of a consumer boycott, after it became clear that the route also runs through neighborhoods beyond the Green Line.My guess is that they will ask the city to reroute the Marathon. I doubt the sponsorship will be withdrawn.
Looking at the map, what they're calling 'going through Sheikh Jarrah' is actually running down Highway 1, which runs along the former border.
On the other hand, I used to run marathons, and there is no way I would want to run through the Shuafat 'refugee camp.'
Labels: Adidas, East Jerusalem, Elisha Peleg, Jerusalem Marathon, Pepe Alalu
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:03 AM
4 Comments:
It could be better drawn but if its entirely on the west side of the Green Line, it would be an admission Israel has no sovereignty over the eastern half of the city. I don't see the municipality doing it.
Adidas and Puma are two same-family run athletic wear businesses whose families in WWII were Nazis.
Since I learned about that, I've stopped buying either brand. All of us should. Tell your friends. Someone should photoshop an Adidas sneaker with a Swastika symbol or turn their 3 stripes into 2 SS lightning bolts.
Just do it. :)
I'm just clarifying.
NormanF,
You could accomplish the same thing by running up the Ramot Road, and you wouldn't be endangering people who will likely be wearing nothing but a t-shirt and shorts by running them through an area where they could be stoned or worse and from which there is only one entrance and exit.
For that matter, you could accomplish the same thing by running them through Har Homa and Gilo where no one would be offended (as opposed to some of the other neighborhoods in 'east' Jerusalem where they run the risk of getting stoned for different reasons).
Yes, they could - but Israel has had the bad habit of abandoning its sovereignty rather than enforcing the law. And if the police enforced the law, Arab stonings wouldn't be a problem. So I don't agree with Carl in the sense that Israel should give up and admit defeat. The law needs to be enforced.
Shy Guy is correct about the history behind the eminent German sports brands. I am however not holding them responsible for the deeds of their ancestors. Every man is responsible alone for his fate before Heaven.
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