Protests continue at Leviev's new store

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Protests continue at Leviev's new store

November 21, 2007

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New York—Protests escalated outside Leviev in New York City on Tuesday as a Palestinian interest group continued its call for a boycott of Israeli diamond magnate Lev Leviev's new Madison Avenue store.

In a loud and eye-catching protest, about 40 people, lead by the group Adalah-NY, sung and danced outside the store, chanting "you sparkle, you shine, but settlements are still a crime," and "how fancy, how pretty, Leviev out of New York City."

The protest included "dancing cardboard diamonds," which told the tale of "gems of injustice."

Protestors also handed passing pedestrians gift bags containing soil from Palestine and a thank-you note that stated: "Dear valued customer, with every purchase you make from LEVIEV New York, you help Lev Leviev to seize a handful of Palestinian land in order to build more illegal Israeli settlements."

According to the group, Leviev is involved in the construction of five illegal settlements on Palestinian land in the West Bank.

In addition, the group claims that Leviev and New York residential real estate developer Shaya Boymelgreen are pushing lower- and middle-income residents out of New York. The group alleges that construction problems plague these developments, and that the projects utilize underpaid, non-union workers in hazardous conditions.

In a statement obtained on Wednesday by National Jeweler, Leviev and the LLG Companies called the protests "politically motivated."

"Those who have personally attacked the group or its founder are not aware of the extensive humanitarian work of the group, including building schools, orphanages and fostering economic development in communities around the world. The LLG Companies are committed to—and have been recognized for—philanthropic work in communities in which they operate."

Adalah-NY says it plans to hand out flyers outside of Leviev on Black Friday, widely considered to be the busiest shopping day of the year, and is planning a large protest in the coming weeks.

"We will return as often as necessary until New Yorkers understand that Leviev's triangle trade is built on human rights abuses and the destruction of marginalized communities in New York City, the Palestinian towns of Bil'in and Jayyous, and in Angola," said Ethan Heitner, a spokesperson for Adalah-NY.

Editor's note: For earlier developments in this story, see Protestors to picket outside Leviev's new U.S. store.

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