Barnes & Noble is the largest and most recognizable bookstore chain in the US, with significant influence on the American book market since its modern establishment in 1971. Given that the corporation enjoys a large publishing and retail footprint, there have been times when individuals question the political affiliations or stances of the corporation, especially towards complex geopolitical issues such as the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. This blog aims to explore whether Barnes & Noble is pro-Israel by examining the business activities of the company, the public conflict, and any signs of financial and political backing of Israel. We will also discuss the history of the international action against Israel and, more broadly, the problem of corporate accountability.
The business presence and potential business in Israel of Barnes and Noble
Barnes & Noble, since its modern establishment in 1971, has grown to operate about 600 stores across the US. The company has had an immense presence in the book retailer business in the US, and it is a household name due to its giant format bookstores that often come with cafes and comfortable lounge areas. It also has a publishing sector that provides it with leverage to influence the publishing and circulation of books.
Barnes and Noble was reportedly negotiating to open its initial store in Israel in 2011. An Israeli entrepreneur was allegedly in talks about a franchise to open Barnes & Noble in Israel. According to Ynetnews, the company plans to build a store in the neighborhood of Mamilla in Jerusalem, as well as additional centers in the cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv. It was considered to be a threat to the dominance of the major bookstore of Steimatzky in Israel, which operates over 160 minor stores, most of which are in shopping malls. Reports have it that in response, Steimatzky planned to respond by launching larger flagship stores on the US model of Barnes & Noble stores.
Barnes & Noble and controversies over content
The question of whether Barnes & Noble has to deal with the state of Israel and the Jewish people there is complicated by the fact that the material on the company website was antisemitic and led to a universal outcry. In January 2022, strong criticism was produced by the fact that the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a famous antisemitic hoax claiming Jewish designs on world rule, could be purchased on the Barnes & Noble online store for $24.95. The online summary did not object to the book categorically based on its cruelty and inaccuracies, but treated it as a matter of exploration.
The social media and Jewish organizations exploded and condemned Barnes & Noble for spreading such a harmful declaration. Other than bringing into sharp focus the challenges facing big stores when managing massive stocks, especially when they are operated online, this incident highlights the sensitivity of the Jewish and Israeli issues. It has been proved by this event that Jewish organizations and activists are monitoring Barnes & Noble because of apparent concern over antisemitism and misinformation, even without expressly engaging in outward initiatives to support Israel.
Financial and investment ties
One common way in which it is seen that businesses support a nation is through the financial investment they make in that country, through the purchase of shares or bonds of that country or of the businesses based in that country. Some of the questions concerning the websites, such as Goodreads, involved whether Barnes & Noble has invested in an Israeli business group and government securities, which could suggest an indirect funding of Israel.
No publicly available evidence shows that Barnes & Noble owns stocks or bonds in Israeli firms. Barnes and Noble rarely invests in international corporate bonds and government bonds since its core business is retailing and publishing.
The contribution of Barnes & Noble to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict imaginary and campaigning
There is a trend worldwide to urge businesses to reconsider their connection with Israel, especially businesses that are seen to support or advantage the Israeli policies, which the antagonists believe to be oppressive. Boycott lists of companies that support Israel and large-scale BDS activities have not resulted in the memorable name of Barnes & Noble at all. Unlike such giant corporations as Hewlett-Packard, Chevron, or SodaStream, which have been alleged to participate in crimes against humanity and which have their reported business operations in Israel or the occupied territories, Barnes & Noble has practically no involvement therein.
Nevertheless, as some online discussions as well as customer reviews have proclaimed, Barnes & Noble stores have exhibited or promoted books that focus on Israel without offering Palestinian opinions the same amount of coverage. Such marketing choices can be perceived as subliminal cultural or even information endorsement of Israel, even though they might be nonpolitical in substance. Balancing complex geopolitical themes is a common challenge for publishers and booksellers.
Business and human rights
Corporate social responsibility, or CSR, is an idea that has increasingly expanded over the past few years to an idea where businesses have the duty not to assist and abet the infringement of human rights, especially when the violation is in the form of a conflict like that on the West Bank and Gaza. The international standards and norms, such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, oblige companies to exercise due diligence to ensure that their operations are not implicated in the violation, apartheid, or genocide.
As per the 2024 court verdict, corporate entities with financial or economic links with Israel will face responsibility whereby they are found to have been involved in perpetrating further violations against Palestinians, especially in Gaza.
Activism, Boycotts, and the BDS movement
- Business Operations: There have been initial talks of setting up shop in Israel in the year 2011, but Barnes and Noble has never established itself in Israel. This means that it does not have an actual shop in Israel.
- Content Controversy: The company has faced criticism as it posted antisemitic content on the internet, but it later rectified the situation. This shows Jewish sensitivity, but this is not a political endorsement of Israel.
- Financial Connections: Barnes & Noble does not own stocks, bonds, or make any direct investment in Israeli companies.
- Activism and Boycotts: Barnes & Noble does not play much of a role in doing business in Israel, and therefore, it is not the main target of BDS or like initiatives.
- Corporate Responsibility: Barnes and Noble reduces the risk of liability by not investing in companies that engage in human rights abuses in the states of Israel and Palestine.
- Considering everything, it turns out that Barnes & Noble is not acting as a major supporter of Israel by investing in it and supporting it in the political arena. The company is a bookstore based mainly in the United States, which seriously lacks direct business links with Israel.
The undertones of culture and information support
As an influential bookstore, Barnes & Noble can influence the narratives of culture despite the fact that it may not necessarily have direct interests in Israel and its business practices or investments in it. Books on Israel and Palestine, especially the ones that are promoted, can shape the minds of the people reading them.
As several customers and activists have claimed, pro-Israel opinions are more likely to be prominent than Palestinian ones in the displays and the book choices of Barnes & Noble. Intentionally or not, this dissimilarity can be viewed as how the story of Israel can be culturally supported. Bookstores and publishing houses often have a hard time balancing between contrasting positions, especially about controversial political themes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it will not appear that Barnes & Noble supports Israel in terms of both politics and economics, and directly through commerce. The company has responded to the call to withdraw racist materials that it carried on its platform after being cautioned, and its preliminary talks to open some of its shops in Israel failed to materialize.
However, being in the business of culture and having the authority to influence the choices of the book inventory and advertising, Barnes & Noble can, by default, be found to promote perceptions on Israel and Palestine that can be viewed as tacit support. There are no strong anti-Israel boycotts of the business now, and the company is not linked with any human rights abuses.
Eventually, one can conclude that with the Barnes & Noble case, it is very challenging to prescribe the meaning of support in a globalized world where all plays in politics, commerce, and culture. Transparency, corporate responsibility, and reaction to issues that many stakeholders raise remain very important to businesses to deal with such fragile issues.
