Scarlett Johansson's naive SodaStream defense

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

http://972mag.com/scarlett-johanssons-naive-sodastream-defense/86287/

SodaStream produces domestic carbonation machines for making sodas at home, and has a large factory in the Mishor Adumim industrial zone, located inside Ma’ale Adumim, the third largest settlement in the occupied West Bank. (This fact is conspicuously absent from its Wikipedia page). The company has both Palestinian and Israeli employees, branding itself as an environmentally friendly, ethical alternative for soda lovers who want to do away with bottles – and that is what Scarlett Johansson claims she loves so much about SodaStream and why she is now its first-ever “brand ambassador.”

Johansson has been under severe scrutiny and media attention from anti-occupation activists and advocates of the BDS movement. Both the The New Yorker and NY Magazine covered the controversy, the latter with the funny, if forced headline: “Guilt-Free Seltzer or Blood Bubbles?” Robert Mackey who writes The New York Times’ Lede Blog has an excellent, detailed report, if you want to read more details.
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Calling Israelis and Palestinians in the occupied West Bank who work for SodaStream “neighbors” with “equal rights” is beyond naive – it is insulting. Palestinians live under military rule, are not eligible to vote for the authorities that rule over their lives, are subject to military rather than civilian courts, and experience systematic discrimination in every aspect of life.

The argument that settlement companies like SodaStream are OK because they employ Palestinians holds no weight, since the political reality of occupation does not allow Palestinian workers to make a free and informed choice regarding their livelihoods. This argument has already been made many times, and especially poignantly by Who Profits, an Israeli NGO that documents Israel’s occupation industry.

[Warpy]

1. Damned few people anywhere have the right

"to make a free and informed choice regarding their livelihoods."

We work where jobs are open and can no longer afford any pride, at all.

If they were closed to anyone but Jews, I'd have a problem with them. They're not, apparently, and that means a few Palestinian Arabs can feed their kids.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

2. Where do you live and work?

[Warpy]

3. Who, me?

I'm a capitalist parasite, gainfully retired.

However, there were few instances where I was allowed to choose my employment except in the most general way. There was never a way to choose my pay.

Now it's your turn.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

4. Not sure why you skipped the question. Bad form that. It shows that you really

aren't interested in human rights, the plight of the Palestinians, those who exploit them or the apartheid state, not to mention enabler #1 USA, that keeps the whole crappy enterprise going.

Perhaps you should read a little more and count your lucky stars that you weren't treated as the Palestinians are today.

Johansson’s response sounds a lot like some Israeli settlers, who often argue that they live peacefully with Palestinians, and accuse “leftist” groups who come to protest and show solidarity of disrupting the peace. There are plenty of hippie settlers who make soaps and organic creams, and many of the free-range eggs sold in my supermarket in Jaffa come from settlements.

Even if an Israeli company is green, or treats its workers better than other establishments, it does not make up for the fact that it is situated on land held by force, whose native population is ruled against their will and demand an end to the occupation.

[Riftaxe]

5. So, exactly how long

before you emigrate from the US, over your concerns about the subjugated Native Americans?

[azurnoir]

6. Soon as Sweden allows Right of Return for every Russian or Rus that can prove they're

Russian 2 generations back

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

11. You might have an argument, based in reality, if I had emigrated or my parents had emigrated from

another country a generation ago.

But that's not to knock the plight of the First Nations in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Latin & South America as well as the islands. They definitely deserve more than the shitty treatment they have received over the years, and the USA has a large share of the blame.

This however is the I/P forum where issues surrounding the I/P conflict are discussed, and catcalls for me to return to someplace else is meaningless to the system of apartheid that Israel has created and continues to perpetuate.

But thank you for attempting to derail this discussion with your sophomoric observation.

[Riftaxe]

13. I was just pointing out

your moral stand of convenience and your hypocrisy for reasons, only you know yourself.

Even if an Israeli company is green, or treats its workers better than other establishments, it does not make up for the fact that it is situated on land held by force, whose native population is ruled against their will and demand an end to the occupation.

It is apparent you are using that quote as a deflection, since your belief in it is quite obviously dubious at best.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

14. How comical of you.

My stand is a moral one, yes. The Israeli stand is not since the international community, as well as the UN, does not recognize illegal israeli settlements. Sodastream works out of one of these settlements and should be boycotted.

Are you suggesting that 300 million people living in America go home?

[Violet_Crumble]

15. Why would anyone need to move?

It doesn't have anything to do with what was said in the post yr replying to

[azurnoir]

19. Are the Native Americans asking all Europeans to the US?

but what about Lintino's Blacks Asains are they welcome to stay? -is the US presently demolishing Native American homes to build areas for non Native Americans?

[King_David]

8. "aren't interested in human rights, the plight of the Palestinians,@

Except that's not what any of these boycotts are all about....

Check out this thread, the BDS crowd, "Israel is Apartheid" crowd boycott anything Jewish ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/113456345

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

12. They're exactly what these boycotts are about. You might obsere that for once

if you ever stopped from clutching your pearls.

[Violet_Crumble]

16. Do you think boycotting settlement products is antisemitic?

[King_David]

17. Nope

But a lot of people especially in the BDS movement and elsewhere believe in boycotting Jewish businesses and people everywhere .
They call Israel an Apartheid picnic state and make other platitudes about supporting Palestinians ( as long as they not located in Lebanon or Syria )
They cheer along when they think UNESCO has cancelled a JEWISH exhibition .
In France they invented a special type of Jew hating salute.

Yep for a lot of people support for one side of this conflict is only because of hate for a people . ( extreme right wing such as David Duke and extremist left such as the French comedian dude and extremists in general)

You betcha ... Boycott Israel boycott West Bank and Gaza if there were any Jews left there ,boycott Jewish exhibits boycott Jews...

[azurnoir]

18. what "a lot of people" believe in boycotting Jewish businesses everywhere?

and why are you still promoting the debunked fable that UNESCO cancelled a Jewish exhibit?

(Reuters) - A United Nations exhibition about Jews and the Holy Land, postponed after Arab countries warned it could harm Middle East peace efforts, will go ahead in June, organizers confirmed on Monday.

The exhibition was due to open last week at the Paris headquarters of the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural organisation (UNESCO) but was held up after 22 Arab member countries said could have a negative impact on peace talks.

The postponement of the exhibition entitled "People, Book, Land, The 3,500 Year Relationship of the Jewish People to the Holy Land" prompted criticism from Israel, the United States, Canada and Jewish groups around the world.

"The date has been set for June, 11," a UNESCO spokeswoman said without elaborating. The exhibition was co-sponsored by Israel, Canada and Montenegro.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/27/us-unesco-exhibition-idUSBREA0Q1JA20140127

[King_David]

28. It's the reaction of the BDS and "Israel is Apartheid " crowd

That is important here:

For example see this thread .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/113456345

[azurnoir]

31. as you should be aware I am quite familiar with the thread nothing of the sort is posted there

no one is supporting boycotting Jewish businesses there was no boycott or cancellation of the exhibit in question it was however postponed

[King_David]

33. Ha ha that's funny

Read posts 1 to 3 for starters.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/113456345

[azurnoir]

35. if as you cllaim Israel had little to do with the exhibit is that even germane?

and if Israel did have something to with the exhibit such oh say sponsoring it, how is saying Israel should be scorned on the international stage any different than saying the same about any other country who's policies you disagree with, or does Israel in your opinion deserve special treatment because the majority of its citizens are Jewish?

[King_David]

36. It was a Jewish Group's exhibition

About the Jewush people.

And that is what this crowd of people were responding to .

[azurnoir]

37. was it sponsored by Israel yes or no? n/t

[King_David]

38. Canada Montenegro and a Jewish Group from the USA

Gasp

[azurnoir]

39. like the song says "2 outta 3 ain't bad" Israel was one of the sponsors

The postponement of the exhibition entitled "People, Book, Land, The 3,500 Year Relationship of the Jewish People to the Holy Land" prompted criticism from Israel, the United States, Canada and Jewish groups around the world.

"The date has been set for June, 11," a UNESCO spokeswoman said without elaborating. The exhibition was co-sponsored by Israel, Canada and Montenegro

.

http://www.jewishjournal.com/world/article/unesco_to_go_ahead_with_disputed_jewish_exhibition

[King_David]

40. Jewish exhibit of course .

That's all anyone including the BDS cheerleaders knew... All else is irrelevant .

[azurnoir]

41. sponsored by Israel about the history of Jews in Israel says the JewishJournal

"The date has been set for June, 11," a UNESCO spokeswoman said without elaborating. The exhibition was co-sponsored by Israel, Canada and Montenegro.

http://www.jewishjournal.com/world/article/unesco_to_go_ahead_with_disputed_jewish_exhibition

[King_David]

43. The rest is just noise .

[Violet_Crumble]

21. I'm pretty sure most people boycott Israel to varying degrees for the same reason I do...

It's because of my opposition to the occupation that I refuse to purchase any goods produced in the West Bank, or from any Israeli businesses that support the occupation (eg Max Brenner). After much back and forthing, probably not worth the effort, as Israel doesn't tend to export much here and I'm more likely to see 'Made in the US' than 'Made in Israel' on anything, I decided I wouldn't refuse to buy something just because it's made in Israel unless the company supports the occupation. When it comes to academic boycotts, it was something Tanya Reinhart said when she visited here and I went to see her speak that made me think I couldn't support that form of boycott. She strongly supported a boycott of Israeli academics, including herself, and that got me thinking that if the uni I saw her at had decided on an academic boycott, then I would never have seen her make all the other very good points she made. The only academics I'd support boycotting would be those who are from that university Israel started in the West Bank. So there might be little rhyme or reason to my own personal boycott, and I know it has no effect on anything, but I think what I do is morally right for me.

[Israeli]

22. that would be Ariel university ...

ref : " I'd support boycotting would be those who are from that university Israel started in the West Bank. "

see :
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4270632,00.html

[Violet_Crumble]

23. Thanks. I was having a brainfreeze moment n/t

[Israeli]

24. The Ariel students wanted to hear Obama ...

but Ariel is not in Israel...

It seems the students from the "university" in Ariel very much wanted to hear the speech of US President Obama, which is nice. They held a publicized protest at not being invited. Their representative asked "Why are students from Israel boycotted?".

However, this is exactly the problem. Students from all the universities in Israel were invited to hear Obama's speech. But the students from Ariel are not students from Israel, since the settlement of Ariel just is not located in Israel.

Not only under International Law Even but even under Israel’s own law, the recognized international boundary of Israel passes between Kfar Saba and Qalqiliya, and anyone crossing this Green Line east wards is leaving the territory of the State of Israel - just like anyone boarding a plane at Tel-Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.

Irresponsible politicians can assert that "there is a consensus on Ariel belonging to Israel." There is no such consensus in Israeli society, and the an opposite consensus in the international community - all countries, including the United States, regard Ariel as a settlement illegally built in Occupied Territory.

Anyone who goes to live or study at an armed enclave in the midst of an Occupied Territory must be ready to pay a price for it – and missing a Presidential speech might be the least price to pay.

http://zope.gush-shalom.org/home/en/channels/press_releases/1363817392/

[King_David]

29. That may be why someone like you may boycott anything. ,

Most people boycotting the Jewish state and Jewish businesses and Jewish exhibitions have their own personal reasons .

[Scootaloo]

26. That was rather disjointed, Dave

The goal of communication os to convey ideas between people. Not to fling words as if putting a dictionary through a salad shooter.

[King_David]

30. Thanks for this reply , they say that imitation is the best form of flattery ,

[Scootaloo]

44. So are you trying to flatter the Time Cube guy?

In 1884, meridian time personnel met in Washington to change Earth time. First words said was that only 1 day could be used on Earth to not change the 1 day bible. So they applied the 1 day and ignored the other 3 days. The bible time was wrong then and it proved wrong today. This a major lie has so much evil feed from it's wrong. No man on Earth has no belly-button, it proves every believer on Earth a liar.

http://www.timecube.com/

[azurnoir]

20. that is a very revealing thread I found your claims that Israel had nothing to do with the exhibit

quite interesting because Israel sponsored it, but none the less it has been rescheduled for June 11 2014 is there some reason that date is less desirable?

[King_David]

27. The Jewish exhibit was only "rescheduled "

Under immense pressure causing UNESCO to backtrack . But that's all irrelevant.

What is relevant is the cheerleaders and supporters of the reported cancellation of a Jewish Exhibit .

See this thread for example :

http://www.democraticunderground.com/113456345

[azurnoir]

32. there was no mention of pressure UNESCO had said from the beginning it was only postponed

it was plainly stated on their website-the canceled/boycotted hysteria was whipped up from outside no names have been mentioned as to who made the initial and highly inaccurate claims

[King_David]

34. As I said the reaction and response of

Those who thought it was a cancellation of a Jewish exhibition is what's interesting .

It shows us all why the Western Starbucks Latte crowd really do support justice for the Palestinians- it's because of the Jews.

[azurnoir]

42. so your taking the the "latte libruls" route?

or what exactly did you mean by that comment?

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

46. You should really stop with the Jew baiting method.

It is really a scary position that you take and try to imprint on others here.

[azurnoir]

7. More about the Palestinian workers and Israeli benevolence

While, technically, Palestinians who work in settlements are largely covered by Israeli labor laws, there is little enforcement of labor regulations in settlements. As a result, Palestinian workers, including women and children, are frequently exploited by Israeli employers.

SodaStream’s Mishor Edomim factory has been the subject of numerous complaints by Palestinian workers over the years, having to do with low wages, discrimination, and poor working conditions. In 2008, Palestinian workers staged a protest at the factory after the contractor that hired them refused to improve working conditions or raise their pay, which amounted to less than half the legal minimum wage at the time. Seventeen workers were fired before they were rehired following unflattering press coverage and pressure from NGOs. However, in a 2010 report, Israeli NGO Kav LaOved, which works on labor issues, noted that Palestinian workers at SodaStream’s Mishor Edomim plant continued to be “at the bottom of the hierarchy in the factory and remain fearful of dismissal.”

Palestinians who work for SodaStream and other companies that operate in settlement industrial parks also face severe restrictions on their movements and their ability to organize to protect workers’ rights. They have to be approved and obtain special permission from Israel's General Security Service (Shabak*). As noted in a report issued by Israeli NGO Who Profits?, “Their dependence on these permits limits the workers’ employment choices and makes organizing almost impossible.”

SodaStream stock has been billed as a hot property since the company went public on the NASDAQ in November 2010. However, in January 2014 the price of SodaStream shares plunged after the company reported preliminary earnings that failed to achieve analysts’ estimates.

http://imeu.net/news/article0024811.shtml

[Jefferson23]

9. Oh come on, it was a lucrative deal for her, anything else she stated is empty noise. n/t

[Purveyor]

10. “Guilt-Free Seltzer or Blood Bubbles?” I love it! {{{chuckle}}} eom

[azurnoir]

25. Scarlett Johansson SodaStream ad nixed for Super Bowl

why?

find out here-

http://www.timesofisrael.com/scarlett-johansson-sodastream-ad-nixed-for-super-bowl/

[Jefferson23]

45. Money, lol. n/t

[azurnoir]

47. sodastream edited the ad so it will air however

Johansson stepping down as Oxfam ambassador

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Scarlett Johansson is ending her relationship with a humanitarian group after being criticized over her support for an Israeli company that operates in the West Bank.

A statement released by Johansson's spokesman Wednesday said the 29-year-old actress has "a fundamental difference of opinion" with Oxfam International because the humanitarian group opposes all trade from Israeli settlements, saying they are illegal and deny Palestinian rights.

"Scarlett Johansson has respectfully decided to end her ambassador role with Oxfam after eight years," the statement said. "She and Oxfam have a fundamental difference of opinion in regards to the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement. She is very proud of her accomplishments and fundraising efforts during her tenure with Oxfam."

Earlier this month, "The Avengers" and "Her" actress signed on as the first global brand ambassador of SodaStream International Ltd., and she's set to appear in an ad for the at-home soda maker during the Super Bowl on Feb. 2.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/01/29/scarlett-johansson-oxfam/5046687/

[Jefferson23]

48. Frankly, Oxfam..I don't give a damn.

Money and or she is clueless.