The Crailtap skateboarding family has addressed the controversy surrounding a supposed Tel Aviv edition of its WE OG skateboard series.
The company confirmed that the deck circulating online was never produced.
According to Crailtap, the shop had expressed interest in joining the project, but they rejected the collaboration because they did not agree with its ideals.
As previously reported, the WE OG series invited skate shops from around the world to participate, giving independent retailers an opportunity to become part of the project.
READ MORE: Girl Skateboards Pays Tribute to the Cities, Shops, and Lifers That Built Its Legacy
Led by Rick Howard and Mike Carroll, Girl and Chocolate have long supported the local shops that help sustain skateboarding communities.
However, images of a Girl Skateboards deck featuring Tel Aviv branding triggered criticism online.
Some skaters questioned the proposed collaboration with an Israeli shop amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the widespread concerns surrounding the treatment and displacement of Palestinians.
As the images circulated on social media, questions arose about whether the board had already been manufactured. Girl Skateboards later clarified that the deck was never produced and that the collaboration had been rejected before manufacturing began.
READ MORE: Girl and Chocolate Skateboards Tel Aviv We OG Skateboards Have Been Circulating Online
In its statement, the company explained that its original invitations were open to skate shops worldwide. However, as the WE OG project took shape, the team recognized the need to consider what its partnerships might support, even indirectly.
Girl Skateboards also made its position explicit, stating that it would not support or collaborate with individuals or skate shops that knowingly contribute to the genocide or the erasure of a people.
The decision shows that participation in the WE OG series was not guaranteed simply because a shop had been invited. While supporting independent retailers remains important to the brands, they also considered whether a potential partnership aligned with their principles.
The controversy has also brought renewed attention to the relationship between skateboarding, politics, and the businesses that sustain the culture.
Although skateboarding connects people across different backgrounds, brands can still choose which partnerships they are willing to pursue and what they are prepared to stand against.
