Oxfam International said Thursday that American actress Scarlett Johansson’s support of an Israeli company operating in a “West Bank settlement” was incompatible with her role as an Oxfam Global Ambassador.
Oxfam’s statement followed Johansson’s announcement Wednesday that she was resigning her Oxfam role because of a “fundamental difference of opinion.” Oxfam said it accepted her resignation.
The international humanitarian organization said Thursday that it believes SodaStream and other businesses operating in Israeli settlements in the “West Bank” contribute to the “denial of rights of the Palestinian communities that we work to support.”
The charity says it opposes all trade from the Israeli settlements “which are illegal under international law.”
Pro-Palestinian activists who advocate consumer boycotts of goods produced in Jewish settlements, have encouraged the public to shun SodaStream. The company’s main plant is in an Israeli industrial zone next to Maaleh Adumim.
Johansson, who has become a global brand ambassador for SodaStream, is to appear in a high-profile SodaStream ad during the Super Bowl on Feb. 2.
The company makes home soda machines and home beverage carbonation systems. It hopes to use Super Bowl exposure to increase its U.S. market share, which lags far behind its market penetration in Europe.
Johansson’s involvement prompted Oxfam to express concern about her role last week, setting in motion events that led to her resignation.
The company’s chief executive, Dan Birnbaum, told The Associated Press that the campaign to boycott products from Israeli “settlements” had not had any impact on SodaStream.
“To the best of my knowledge, we have not lost a single customer,” he said. “If anything, it advances our awareness around the world, because people are talking about SodaStream.”
He said the company does not want to “sacrifice” the jobs of 500 Palestinians who work in the SodaStream factory “for some political cause of some activists groups.”
(AP)
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11 Responses
Is this YWN? Ma hakesher to the yeshivish world?
Moderators Note: Many people get all their news here. Why does everything need to be connected to a Yeshiva? What’s wrong with informing the readers of a major international story about how the world hates Jews? Enlighten us all please.
Thanks.
“What’s wrong with informing the readers of a major international story about how the world hates Jews?”
Nothing at all.
But this is not in anyway a major international story. This is the complete opposite of a major international story.
Moderators Response: A simple Google search will show you how international this story is. CNN, FOX< ABC, NY Times, Washington Times, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Telegraph UK, Sydney Morning Herald, Irish Independent.........Every major international news agency is running the story.
It might show how “international” it is, but it will not show that it is “major.” It is not. And know amount of googling will convince me otherwise. I don’t need google for that. I actually have a brain of my own.
Heretohelp, maybe your brain can help you KNOW the difference between KNOW and NO?
The story is relevant for a few reasons:
1) Jewish pride, even in the face of criticism
2) Role model for standing up for what you beleive in and articulating a good response (even if she isn’t frum you have to give her credit)
3) Role model for a bit of teshuva (yes, there’s a lot more to go). At least she shows her commitment for her people, even if it may have cost her career. When Mashiah comes, Gd willing she will be included.
4) If a frum gevir donated a lot of money or opened a factory in E”Y you would call it news. Here she is helping it grow. She is bringing parnassa to many of our people in E”Y.
It was also reported on CNN and the BBC (England)
I don’t understand the criticism for reporting this.
OF COURSE this is valid news!
Among other reasons, this is connected to Israel, the Palestinian issue, and the thinly veiled Antisemitism demonstrated by an irrational, unjustified and immoral boycott.
(I’m sure the 500 Palestinians working at this plant do not appreciate the boycott.)
It’s indicative of a larger problem.
So please, YWN, by all means, continue reporting these types of news items.
She has gone against almost everyone in her circles to do what is right. May her reward be to become a shomeres Torah u’mitzvos.
This is a pruste woman who has no place in the hearts or minds of any Jew. She should be ignored and unreported on.
ujm
She is a tinokes she’nishba’a who has made in incredible kiddush Hashem. I am zocheh to learn several hours a day, and I stand in awe of her mitzvah.
All jews other than the self haters should go out and buy the product./
The support for the boycott by the PA, despite the huge financial benefit to the over 500 Palestinian employees (they are paid and treated better than at almost any other industrial position open to them), is actually consistent. These lovers of their own people (not) also penalize anyone of their own who would sell property to a Jew with death. Whaddaya say – sounds like midda knegged midda to me, LOL. All agenda and Hate driven. No surprises here. It’s great that this woman has stood up to the pressure. It’s kind of shocking (though it shouldn’t be by now) to see the overwhelming number of individuals, groups, and media sources who support the concept of this boycott, while the truth of it stares them in the face. The willingness to be ignorant on such a mass scale is scary. Herein lies the major story, along with the heroism of this woman, of course, who may influence a few others at celebrity level to raise a public voice on the matter.