jfid – Skechers is one of the world’s renowned shoe brands, offering a variety of footwear for men, women, and children.
Known for comfort, style, and quality, Skechers hides a controversial story related to Israel behind its success.
Skechers History
Founded in 1992 by Robert Greenberg, an American entrepreneur with a Jewish background, who previously founded the popular ’80s sports shoe company, LA Gear.
Initially producing casual boots for men, Skechers evolved into a brand providing a wide range of products, including athletic shoes, casual footwear, work shoes, and children’s shoes.
Collaborating with celebrities and athletes like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Demi Lovato, Meghan Trainor, Howie Long, Sugar Ray Leonard, and more, Skechers has expanded globally, with over 3,000 stores, including in Indonesia.
Skechers sponsors various sports events like the Boston Marathon, Los Angeles Marathon, and Ironman, supporting social organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Best Friends Animal Society, and Special Olympics.
Skechers and Israel
Despite projecting an image of a friendly and caring brand, Skechers has close ties to Israel, a country accused of human rights violations against the Palestinian people.
Skechers has an official branch in Israel, located in Herzliya, a city within Israel’s occupied territory. Skechers Israel claims to offer the “נעלי הליכה הנוחות בעולם” or “most comfortable walking shoes in the world.” They actively promote their products on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Skechers Israel hosts special events like Skechers Run, Skechers Walk, and Skechers Fashion Show.
However, unbeknownst to many, Skechers Israel also supports Israel’s policies, considered acts of Zionism. Zionism advocates for the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine, rejecting the rights of the Palestinian people as indigenous inhabitants of the land.
One example of Skechers Israel’s support for Zionism is its participation in the Israel Day Parade, an annual event in New York celebrating Israel’s independence. In 2018, Skechers Israel became an official sponsor, sending delegations to participate in the parade.
Additionally, Skechers Israel is involved in the Birthright Israel program, providing free trips to Israel for Jewish youth worldwide. This program aims to strengthen Jewish identity and loyalty to Israel, with Skechers Israel offering free shoes to participants.
Public Reaction
Skechers Israel’s support for Zionism has garnered negative reactions, particularly from the Muslim community sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. Pro-Palestinian organizations and activists, including the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement, have called for a boycott of Skechers products as a form of protest against Israel’s actions.
Reasons for boycotting Skechers include allegations that the company profits from sales in Israel’s occupied territories, promotes Israeli culture conflicting with Islamic values, and leverages the Birthright Israel program to recruit young Jewish individuals as agents of Zionism.
Conclusion
Skechers, a globally popular shoe brand, has a darker side associated with Israel. Skechers Israel operates within Israel’s occupied territory, actively supporting Zionist policies. Boycotting Skechers becomes a way for individuals to express solidarity with the Palestinian people, who are victims of Israeli atrocities, signaling disagreement with Israel’s actions and a refusal to provide financial or moral support to a pro-Israel company.
