Oh, jesus christ. Look what I just discovered. They're f*ing everywhere!
Jay Schottenstein, the CEO of American Eagle Outfitters, is described as a fervent Jewish Zionist with significant business, financial, and political ties to Israel. He is a major donor to the Jewish National Fund (JNF), which funds the expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine, and has contributed to political campaigns of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His support extends to various Israeli institutions, including funding archaeological projects in Jerusalem and a partnership with the Wiesel family, owners of Israel’s Fox clothing chain.
* **Zionist Affiliation and Philanthropy* Schottenstein is a prominent donor to organizations aligned with Zionist causes, including the Jewish National Fund (JNF), which supports the expansion of settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. He has also donated to the Ir David Foundation and the Central Fund for Israel, which are linked to pro-settler activities.
* **Political and Business Ties to Israel* He has a documented history of financial support for Israeli political figures, including a $157,000 donation to Benjamin Netanyahu's 2015 campaign and being listed on a 2007 leaked list of potential Netanyahu donors. His business ventures include a partnership with the Wiesel family to operate American Eagle stores in Israel.
* **Controversial Actions* His support for a men-only concert in Tel Aviv, which excluded female performers, has been cited as evidence of his conservative and exclusionary views, which some interpret as aligning with certain ultra-Orthodox or settler ideologies. This event was reportedly funded by him, with the decision to ban women made by the "Orthodox American donor".
* **Contradictory Public Image* Despite these associations, American Eagle Outfitters has been recognized for its response to antisemitism, receiving an "A" rating from a nonprofit watchdog group for its inclusivity and diversity efforts, including employee groups like the REAL Jewish Connection. The company's advertising campaigns have also featured diverse models, including Black, Latina, and Latino individuals.