Fuji
"map with no Israel" hoax
Fuji maps were discovered without Israel on them, the following
internet alert was received:
Please inform your family and friends that Subaru-Fuji &
Fuji Co. removed Israel from its complimentary world map that
they gave to their customers with purchases. Yes, in Fuji stores
abroad you receive the world map without Israel!!!
According to Fuji, Israel just does not exist... It is most likely
done to entice Arab customers. I am sure that a map without Israel
makes Arabs happy, very happy... It is a very dangerous precedent
it looks like an indication that Arab calls for the boycott of
Israel may start bearing fruits. In response, many Israelis today
called for a boycott of all Fuji products -- film, cameras, batteries
etc.
This Fuji action is the worst possible insult for Israel. Please
spread the word around - ARAB buying power can do wonders.
Fujifilm denied the story and issued this staement:
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.
Fujifilm appreciates the opportunity to share the actual
facts of this matter, and to provide every assurance that Fujifilm
is a company of the highest stature and integrity.
http://www.snopes2.com/inboxer/outrage/fuji.htm
Further information from zionist site standwithus.com:
No Problem With Fuji
Film:
Many of our members have voiced concern that the Fuji Film company
has printed a map withoutout Israel, and that they are giving it
away as a gift.
We are pleased to tell you that this is not the case. We have contacted
a representative at the Fuji company, and we have learned that the
problem was isolated to a dealer in Africa who created a calendar
without permission from Fuji. Fuji was embarrassed by this, and
they tell us that they have taken immediate steps to rectify the
problem with that one dealer.
They have also issued a public apology in Israel. Please read the
letter below, written by Khaim Benkuzari , (Product Manager Shimone
Group Israel, Fuji Film Distributor) followed by their press release
which explains more.
In these pressured times, it is important for us to check out facts
before we spread information that may or may not be accurate. Thank
you for being patient with us at standwithus as we looked into this.
Dear Standwithus and friends of standwithus members, Please find
attached a clarification FUJI FILM had made two Days ago, the article
was published in The Hebrew version of ynet.co.ilI believe it will
clear the atmosphere because, Fuji Film for very long Period is
working with Israel, though the Arab boycott had caused them A lot
of damage during the 70s and 80s. Please forward this information
to you members. Khaim Benkuzari Product Manager Shimone Group Israel,
Fuji Film Distributor.
Translated from: http://www.ynet.co.il
Fuji apologized for omitting Israel from a map distributed in its
name.
The president of the company came to the Israeli embassy in Japan
and clarified that the mistake was a local error of a distributor
and not the policy of the company
The president of Fuji international recently came to a meeting
at the Israeli embassy in Japan to apologize for the omission of
the name of the state of Israel from a calendar which was distributed
in the name of the company in advance of the forthcoming Mondial.
The general manager of Fuji international, Shigetaka Komori, requested
the clarification meeting at the Israeli embassy in Tokyo as a result
of the publication of the subject in ynet. (see link). Shigetaka
told the Israeli ambassador that an investigation carried out by
the company revealed that the calendar was produced by as a local
initiative in the Ivory Coast by a business owner not connected
with Fuji. The calendar was printed in Lebanon and there the name
ofIsrael and its capital were omitted.
The general manager of Fuji said that that in the official calendar
of the company, the name of Israel appears. He clarified that the
company has always taken care to maintain friendly relations with
Israel and that this matter embarrassed Fuji and it regretted it.
He said that the company warned the business owner not to distribute
any more of the calendars in their present version, and instructed
him to collect as many as possible of the erroneous calendars that
were distributed.
The Israeli ambassador in Tokyo said that he was impressed by the
apology of the company and had told the Japanese representatives
that Israel fully accepts the explanation and that from its point
of view the matter is closed.
The deputy spokesman of the foreign ministry, Emanuel Nachshon,
said in response Israel compliments the words of the president of
the company and sees this as an end to the matter. The foreign ministry
will continue to follow attempts to harm the state of Israel, among
other things, attempts of commercial enterprises to erase Israel
from the map.
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