Footwear Companies in Israel Speak Out Following Devastating Hamas Attacks
Footwear companies with a presence in Israel are speaking out following Hamas terrorists’ devastating attacks on the country over the weekend.
On Saturday morning, Hamas launched an invasion through the border of Gaza, killing and injuring hundreds of men, women and children in Israel and taking close to 150 hostages back into Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war with Hamas and launched a wave of counterattacks on Gaza. As of Monday, according to ABC News, at least 900 people had died in Israel, with more than 2,300 more injured by Hamas. In Gaza, Palestinian authorities said 560 people had been killed and 2,900 had been injured from retaliatory attacks.
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As the conflict continues to unfold, some footwear brands and organizations released statements about their employees’ status and how they’re grappling with the effects of the situation.
Israeli footwear maker Naot has a factory located in Northern Israel, far from most of the violent events that occurred throughout the weekend. Still, the team was far from unscathed, according to Naot’s U.S. president Ayelet Lax Levy. She confirmed to FN that the entire “Naot family and team are all physically accounted for” though many have friends who are missing, have died or been called for active reserve duty in the Israeli Defense Forces.
“The past few days Israel experienced unprecedented terror attacks on innocent children, elderly, women, men, families, and young adults,” said Lax Levy in a statement to FN. “The horrific carnage and slaughter have been hard for all of us to comprehend. Our hearts are hurting and they will continue to hurt.”
Lax Levy added that the Naot team is “resilient and is working through this challenging time together” and working with organizations to help “our brothers and sisters in Israel who are in need right now.” She also noted that Naot has donated its Scout Boots to the Israeli army and is working on more shoe donations.
Naot launched in 1942 from the work of a small collective farming community, or kibbutz, in Northern Israel. Today, the family-owned business sells its sandals, sneakers and boots in the U.S. primarily through wholesale retail partners — and its two stores in New York.
Aetrex, a leader in foot scanning technology and comfort footwear with a development hub in Israel, also commented on the recent developments in Israel in a statement to FN.
“Aetrex has had a technology development hub in Israel since 2008,” said CEO of Aetrex, Inc. Larry Schwartz. “Israel, in many ways is a small community, and our team members that I spoke with all know people who have been killed or are missing, including women, children and the elderly. We also have employees that have just been called to active military duty. Thankfully, as of now, our team is okay. They’re all in our thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time.”
Matt Priest, president and CEO of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), said in a Monday post on LinkedIn that the industry group and its members “stand with Israel during this trying time and in support of our Jewish brothers and sisters in the #footwear industry.”
“The last trip my family and I took before COVID in February 2020 was to Israel,” Priest added. “We immediately fell in love with the country’s beauty, her people, and the theological significance of its land. May the flag on top of Masada and those all of over the country continue to fly proudly, and may God protect the great nation of Israel.”
Steve Lamar, president and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) commented as well: “This brutal attack touches many of us in the industry personally and deeply,” Lamar said. “We are devastated that hate leads one people to attack another people as they worship. We stand with Israel and pray for a speedy resolution that leads to lasting peace.”
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