Business
Diamond Exchange expels member over blood stones
Associated Press
Published: 29.12.10, 08:01
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11 Talkbacks for this article
1. Israel cannot afford to mess with the Diamond Market
Al   (12.29.10)
Good move on part of the exchange.. Diamonds have been a major player in Israeli exports for over 65 years.
2. What about Israeli blood diamonds?
Sean Clinton ,   Ireland   (12.29.10)
Considering the evidence given by Israeli economist, Shir Hever, to the London session of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine a few weeks ago indicating that revenue from the Israeli diamond industry provides over $1billion annually to the Israeli military, then this incident seems like Israel has found a sacrificial lamb to distract attention from its own blood diamond industry. Despite having no diamond mines, Israel is one of the world’s major diamond polishing and trading centres. In 2008 diamonds worth $19.4 billion accounted for over 30% of Israel’s exports, While Israel commits human right violations on a daily basis, and stands accused of war crimes by two UN investigations for its assault on Gaza two years ago, and its assault on the aid ship the Mavi Marmara earlier this year, diamonds crafted in Israel can not legally be classed as blood diamonds irrespective of what human rights abuses they are funding. The Kimberley Process which regulates the diamond industry restricts the definition of blood diamonds to rough diamonds used by rebel movements, thus leaving Israel’s cut & polished diamonds outside the net. As a result of this gaping hole in the regulations jewellers sell diamonds cut & polished in Israel as conflict free diamonds. Diamonds crafted in Israel are de facto blood diamonds and should be banned.
3. Ireland; potato economy
Steve Bronfman ,   Canada   (12.29.10)
China currently occupies Tibet and does not allow freedom of the press etc but I bet a million dollars the previous Irishman has never been on s Chinese site saying all Chinese goods are "blood products". The same for all other oppressive regimes far worse than israel eg almost all Muslim regimes, most of Africa etc. What is it about Europeans that makes them think they can preach to Israelis considering their track record of intolerance and expiration of the entire world.
4. #2 Sean Clinton a typical anti-semite
David   (12.29.10)
How dare you insult our country in such a blasphemous attitude? You got no idea of what you are talking about but barking out insults like a primitive individual. Israel as any sovereign country in the world has the right to defend itself in whatever means against attacks. We will continue to handle our own affairs in the best possible way. You and others got no right and no opinion whatsoever in our internal affairs. So you better focus on your affairs and the debt problems that are plaguing your nation because of your corrupt politicians.
5. Sean Clinton @ 2, the answer is simple.
leo ,   usa   (12.29.10)
There is no such thing as "Israeli blood diamonds".
6. Bloody Sean # 2
Iris ,   USA   (12.29.10)
Sean, your nation supported the Nazis in WW II, and still continue to support, aid & abet international terrorism. Do niot buy any gemstones. Israel is withing its full legal rights to defend itself
7. 2 Sean Blood matzes diamonds...
ORA ,   Jerusalem   (12.29.10)
Same calomny....
8. Al , Israel imports vast quantities of raw diamonds
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (12.29.10)
Hi Tech and arms exports don't need such a high import as the diamonds , so those industries benefit much more to the country .
9. Ireland...
Dan S. ,   USA   (12.29.10)
Irish need to worry about more basic issues such as the high rates of alcoholism in their own country, and quit having thoughts above their station.
10. Oh, the irony of Sean Clinton's comment #2
Kate ,   London, UK   (12.29.10)
Sean Clinton is the chairperson of the Limerick branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Yes, the very same Limerick that infamously boycotted Jews at the beginning of the 20th Century. In what is now know as the Limerick pogrom, most Jews were forced to flee the city. So obviously nothing much ever changes in Limerick. The desire to boycott Jews by inhabitants of Limerick must be something that is passed along in the mother's milk. We should treat Clinton's boycott call with the contempt it deserves.
11. dear Sean
Anon ,   Johannesburg   (12.31.10)
i only read till the second line till i got to "Palestine" then i had to stop. cause i realised who and what you want from us; the fact you on this site is enough for me to recognise your pathetic attempt to de-legitimise Israel. The fact remains. If the Palestinians wanted peace, there would of been peace 60 years ago. the fact that Islam does not want to share nor compromise, and that even Tel Aviv will not be enough for the Palestinians is the reason why there will never be peace ( the west fails to recognise this very sad fact). My question is different, i would like to know why, if there will never be peace with war mongrels like the Palestinians,then why would Israel just not fight them to the death now. Why does Israel let them multiply like rabbits and gain support from Iran. Crush them now Israel, before later will be to harder to do so. The only success the Palestinian leadership ever had is buying time. Any other free nation would of gone to war a long time ago against a group bent on their destruction. Israel, your self defence is not a war crime!, your self defence is a war crime to crazies like this one from Ireland (although i am almost sure he is not from there and neither is his name Sean more like Selma)
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