Palestinian Villagers Forced To Buy Israeli Sweets To Celebrate Tel Aviv Killings

Some have bought packages of Israeli candy without comment, but several did specifically ask whether there was any of local provenance.

Dayariyya, West Bank, June 9 – Residents of this isolated town north of Nablus confessed they felt awkward last night and this morning upon discovering that the only candies available at the moment for distribution to hail the killing of four Israelis in a Tel Aviv restaurant last night were of Israeli manufacture.

Two Palestinian gunmen opened fire in a trendy, downtown Tel Aviv cafe Wednesday night, killing four and injuring five. In celebration, Palestinians everywhere gave out candies and pastries. In Dayariyya, however, the relative isolation meant that the local shops had been unable this week to replenish their stocks of Palestinian-made goodies, and residents had no choice but to celebrate using candies whose purchase would indirectly support Israeli enterprises.

Village elders voiced consternation. “We’re very much in favor of BDS, most of the time,” said Dayya Bittis, a retired construction worker. “Unless it affects our bottom line. Jobs, you know? But this is a slightly different situation. It’s not our livelihoods that are at stake, but our sense of identity. Can we truly claim the mantle of Palestinianhood without distributing sweets when our brothers murder Israelis? And if we do celebrate, can we in good conscience do so if the only means available involves putting money in the pockets of Israelis?”

In practice, say the villagers, elders have refrained from giving specific guidance on whether to abstain from celebrating in the traditional manner or to buy Israeli candy. Local grocers report that some customers have bought packages of Israeli candy without comment, but that several did specifically ask whether there was any of local provenance.

“A couple of people came in last night looking for Palestinian sweets, but we got rid of those months and months ago –  nobody buys them, and the Israeli stuff is of superior quality,” recalled a proprietor who gave his name only as Sukri. “Now all of a sudden people care? Whatever. In a couple of days everyone will go back to normal.”

Sukri said that the Palestinian Authority made a show last year of sending enforcement officials to the village to confiscate or destroy Israeli products, but had not returned since. In the meantime, he and his competitors have continued to buy and sell Israeli dairy products, candies, cookies, and other goods. “The local stuff is terrible, and there’s not enough of it,” he explained.

Some residents decided against buying the Israeli candy but cited other reasons for abstaining from the traditional celebration method. “It might affect my children’s health,” said local mother Inn Soulinn.