- In July 2005, a coalition of 171 Palestinian Civil Society
organizations created the global BDS movement for "Boycott, Divestment
and Sanctions against Israel Until it Complies with International Law and
Universal Principles of Human Rights" for Occupied Palestinians, Israeli
Arabs, and Palestinian diaspora refugees.
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- Since 1948, hundreds of UN resolutions and civil society
actions condemned Israel's lawlessness; its crimes of war and against humanity;
occupation; discriminatory policies; illegal home demolitions, land seizures
and settlements; oppression of a civilian population; the Separation Wall;
the Gaza siege; and preemptive imperial wars.
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- Nothing so far has worked. Palestine is still occupied.
Its people continue to suffer. Their human rights are denied. World leaders
ignore them. This no longer can be tolerated. In solidarity, people of
conscience everywhere must pressure Israel with BDS initiatives that include
boycotting Israeli companies, their products and services, and global ones
supporting the occupation. They're numerous, many with familiar names.
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- Below is a partial list, starting with global giants,
Israeli companies following. Others can be added, but use it as a good
start along with a New Year's resolution to boycott them and encourage
others to do it as well.
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- Motorola
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- The US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation "aim(s)
to change those US policies that both sustain Israel's 42-year occupation
of the Palestinian West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, and deny equal
rights for all." It started with a boycott campaign to "Hang
up on Motorola" and its subsidiary, Motorola Israel, that support
the worst of illegal occupation practices. They produce:
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- -- 980 Low Altitude Proximity Fuses for the MK-80 series
of high-explosive bombs used against civilian and other non-combatant targets
with devastating effect;
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- -- the "Mountain Rose" secure cell phone communication
system, used exclusively in Occupied Palestine;
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- -- Wide Area Surveillance System (WAAS) to monitor and
secure the Separation Wall, built on about 12% of stolen West Bank land;
and
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- -- radar detection devices and thermal cameras for dozens
of illegal West Bank settlements.
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- Morotola consumer products are sold globally, including
its cell phones, cordless and corded phones, the Droid phone, accessories,
cable modems, digital video equipment, and more. "Hang up on Motorola"
and get others to do it, too.
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- Estee Lauder
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- Board Member Ronald Lauder chairs the Jewish National
Fund and is former a JNF president. In 1901, the Fifth Zionist Congress
established it to "purchase, take on lease or in exchange, or otherwise
acquire any lands, forests, rights of possession and other rights....for
the purpose of settling Jews on (Palestinian) lands." About 80% of
the land was confiscated, not bought from its rightful owners - expelled
Palestinians in Israel's "War of Independence."
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- JNF calls itself "Caretakers of the land of Israel
for over a century (and) a global environmental leader by planting 240
million trees, building over 200 reservoirs and dams, developing over 250,000
acres of land, creating more than 1,000 parks, providing infrastructure
for over 1,000 communities (and) bringing life to the Negev Desert,"
exclusively for Jews on stolen Palestinian lands.
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- JNF develops land. It doesn't sell it, but can lease
it to Jews or any Jewish-controlled company, organization or entity. It
holds these lands on behalf of "the Jewish People in perpetuity."
Non-Jews are entirely excluded from renting or buying property, getting
financing, opening a business, or doing virtually anything on Jewish land
under a strict apartheid policy. JNF policies have been legally challenged,
so far without success.
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- Besides Ronald, other Lauders are also involved - Leonard,
Evelyn and William. The company produces skin care, makeup, fragrance and
hair care products that include Clinique, Aramis, Lab Series, Prescriptives
and Origins. Acquired brands include M*A*C, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, Jo Malone,
Aveda, Bumble and Bumble, Darphin, and Ojon. It's also the fragrance and
beauty products licensee for Kiton, Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan, Michael
Kors, Sean John, Missoni, Tom Ford, and Mustang.
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- Other products sold through alternative channels include
American Beauty, Flirt!, good skin, Daisy Fuentes, Coach, and Eyes by Design.
The company is headquartered in New York, with many stores nationally and
in Canada operating Estee Lauder "counters."
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- L'Oreal/Body Shop
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- The Palestinian BDS National Committee calls L'Oreal
"Makeup for Israeli apartheid," and asks consumers globally to
boycott "the products of the French cosmetics giant....due to its
deep and extensive involvement in business relations with Israel...."
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- There since the mid-1990s, its L'Oreal Israel subsidiary
operates a factory in Migdal Haemek in the Lower Galilee where the Migdal
Haemek settlement expelled Palestinian residents, denies their right of
return, and expropriated their land for exclusive Jewish use.
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- L'Oreal Israel makes a line of Natural Sea Beauty products
using Dead Sea minerals. However, one-third of its western shore is in
the West Bank, and the entire area and its resources are off limits to
Palestinians to let Israel exploit it for mining and international tourism.
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- In July 2008, the company also gave a $100,000 "lifetime
achievement" award to an Israeli Weizmann Institute scientist, a research
center that clandestinely develops nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons
for the IDF war machine.
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- In addition, L'Oreal Israel's chairman, Gad Propper,
is the founding chairman of the Israel-EU Chamber of Commerce, and was
heavily involved in promoting trade with Australia and New Zealand. Since
the mid-1990s, Israel has been L'Oreal's regional commercial center.
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- Its brands include Maybelline, Lancome, Matrix, Redken,
Vichy/Dermablend, and Helena Rubinstein. It also owns the Body Shop, a
company reputed to be socially conscious, except when it comes to Palestine.
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- Intel
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- The technology giant produces computer processors and
other hardware components employing thousands of Israelis. It's been one
of Israel's major supporters since opening its first development center
outside America in Haifa in 1974. Ever since, it's heavily invested in
the country and operates an annual billion dollar export business. It has
a microprocessor plant in Har Hotzvim, Jerusalem, another development center
there as well, a plant in Lachish-Qiryat Gat, a branch for the development
of network communications products in Omer, close to Beersheba, as well
as other operations.
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- Its Qiryat Gat plant lies on Iraq al Manshiya village
land where 2,000 Palestinians were expelled to construct the illegal settlement
that replaced it. Al-Awda (the Palestinian Right to Return Coalition) urges
legal action against Intel for using it.
-
- Intel Israel also supports apartheid education, saying
the company:
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- "promot(es)....higher education (through) scholarships
for (Israeli) students (and) allocates considerable resources to funding
research and purchasing laboratory equipment."
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- The company disdains Palestinian rights by supporting
Israeli apartheid, lawlessness, and repressive policies.
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- McDonald's
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- It's the world's largest fast food retailer, operating
in about 120 countries globally, including in Israel since 1993, with about
150 restaurants and a policy of firing Arab workers caught speaking Arabic.
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- McDonald's is also a major partner of the Jewish United
Fund (JUF) and Jewish Federation. Through its Israel Commission, JUF "works
to maintain American military, economic and diplomatic support for Israel;
monitors and, when necessary, responds to media coverage of Israel."
JUF is also a major fundraiser, and, through its "Partnership to Israel"
program, contributes large sums annually to further illegal settlement
development on occupied Palestinian land.
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- Coca-Cola
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- The company is the world's largest soft drink maker,
with numerous brands sold virtually everywhere globally. Since the mid-1960s,
it's been been a staunch Israel supporter, and in 1997, the country's Chamber
of Commerce and Economic Mission praised its chairman, Roberto Goizueta,
for 30 years of support and for refusing to honor an Arab boycott at the
expense of lost regional business. In 2002, Coca-Cola announced plans to
build a Kiryat Gat plant on stolen Palestinian land, and in 2005, raised
its investment in the Israeli-based Tavor Winery to 51%.
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- In 2002, the company also helped fund a pro-Israel propaganda
lecture by National Public Radio's Linda Gradstein, claimed to be unbiased.
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- Disney
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- The company's Florida Epcot Center Millennium exhibition
depicts occupied Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a joint effort by Tel Aviv
and Disney to Judaize the city preparatory to legitimizing Israel's claim.
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- Israel's Foreign Ministry, in charge of the exhibit,
says it highlights the city's importance to Muslims, Christians and Jews
alike, but a formal statement asserts:
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- "There is no doubt that Jerusalem is the capital
of Israel (and) the position of Jerusalem as the key component to the Israeli
pavilion....speaks for itself without a clearer or stronger statement being
necessary."
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- Of the exhibit's $8 million cost, Israel paid less than
one-fourth, Disney the rest.
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- Home Depot
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- As the world's largest home improvement retailer, it's
second only to Wal-Mart in total retail sales. Its founder and former chairman,
Bernard Marcus, actively supports Israel, including through the Marcus
Foundation promoting Jewish issues.
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- In addition, he's a board member of Emet (Hebrew for
"truth") News Service, reporting pro-Israeli propaganda, analysis
and commentary to ensure all US media are on board, and why not with a
board of directors including Marcus; Lex Wexner, The Limited's founder;
Edgar Bronfman Sr., Seagram's former head; Lou Ranieri, a major Wall Street
figure and Israeli bank owner; and former UN ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick.
Before he died, Jack Kemp also served on the board.
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- IBM
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- The company invests heavily in Israel, and according
to former executive, Lawrence Ricciardi, "This wedge of land and the
huge ideals it represents are very important to IBM."
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- In June 2001, the American-Israel Friendship League praised
the company and two others at its Partners for Democracy Award dinner.
In May 2002, the Israel-America Chamber of Commerce gave IBM the Ambassador's
Award "in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the development
of the Israeli high-tech industry and (for) advancing trade between the
US and Israel."
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- IBM began its regional operations in 1949 and was the
first large US company with a wholly owned Israeli subsidiary. Its Haifa
Research Laboratories employs over 2,000 people doing extensive research
cooperatively with the US-based operations. For decades, it's also been
involved with Israeli start-ups and venture capital funds.
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- Revlon
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- Billionaire Ronald Perelman controls the company, a major
producer of cosmetics, skin care, fragrance and personal care products.
He also supports Israeli causes, and is a trustee of the Simon Wiesenthal
Center, the notorious pro-Israel front group with over 300,000 global members
and support from prominent figures like himself, George W. Bush, Barack
Obama, Senator Charles Schumer, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and many others.
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- Starbucks
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- Chairman Howard Shultz is staunchly pro-Israel. In 1998,
the Jerusalem Fund of Aish HaTorah gave him "The Israel 50th Anniversary
Friend of Zion Tribute Award" for "playing a key role in promoting
a close alliance between the United States and Israel." In 2002, Israel's
Foreign Ministry praised him for being key to the country's long-term PR
success, through his provocative speeches accusing Palestinians of terrorism,
calling intifada resistance anti-semitism, asking Americans to back Israel
against a common enemy, and sponsoring fund raisers for Israeli causes.
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- Jointly with the Israeli-based Delek Group, Starbucks
Coffee International operated a joint venture in Israel, opened six stores,
then shut them after heavy losses.
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- The Limited
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- The company is a major retailer with five specialty brands,
including Express, The Limited, Lane Bryant, Lerner New York and Structure
as well as the major ownership of Intimate Brands.
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- Its founder and CEO, Leslie Wexner, is a board member
of the pro-Israeli Emet News Service, and through his Wexner Foundation
promotes "strengthening Jewish Leadership in North America and Israel."
One of its initiatives finances up to 10 Israeli officials at Harvard annually
for a year-long Master in Public Administration program (MPA) combined
with intensive leadership development. Many alumni return home to high
ministerial positions and similar IDF ones.
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- Wexner also sponsors "Birthright Israel" that
brings young American Jews to the country for intensive indoctrination.
He supports Hillel, Israel's bastion on college campuses, and in April
2003, a leaked Wexler commissioned Luntz Research document revealed Israel's
propaganda strategy following the Iraq war. The report titled, "Wexler
Analysis: Israeli Communications Priorities 2003" had 11 key recommendations
"on behalf of Israel....in a post-Saddam world."
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- It called Saddam Hussein "two of the most hated
words in the English language" and the ones (tying) Israel to America....The
day we allow Saddam to take his eventual place in the trash heap of history
is the day we lose our strongest weapon in the linguistic defense of Israel."
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- Replacing him are Al Queda, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad's Iranian government as designated "terrorists,"
propagandized against to portray Israel as surrounded and threatened by
hordes of hostile Muslims bent on its destruction, when, in fact, the Jewish
state is the main regional threat.
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- The Luntz report also called the illegal settlements
Israel's "Achilles heel" against which there's no good defense.
Wexner is one of its best.
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- News Corporation
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- It's the Rupert Murdoch-owned media giant that includes
dozens of print publications, motion pictures, book publishing, and Fox
News, what Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) calls "the
most biased name in news....with its extraordinary right-wing tilt"
that includes one-sided Israeli support, and no wonder.
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- Murdoch invests heavily in Israel and was one of three
US companies the American-Israel Friendship League honored for their support
at their June 2001 Partners for Democracy Awards dinner. Murdoch, in fact,
co-chaired the dinner, was a close friend of Ariel Sharon, calls himself
a lifelong ally of Israel, and shows it through one-sided reporting allowing
no wiggle room for staff deviation.
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- Sara Lee
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- It's the world's largest clothing manufacturer, owning
in whole or in part familiar brands, including Hanes, Playtex, Champion,
Leggs, and Wonderbra. Its food brands include Sara Lee, Ball Park, Hillshire
Farm, and Jimmy Dean, and its global businesses include Fresh Bakery, North
American Retail, Foodservice, International Beverage, International Bakery,
and International Household and Body Care. It also owns a 30% stake in
the Israeli company Delta Galil. More on it below.
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- In 1998, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu awarded
Sara Lee Personal Products executive Lucien Nessim (from its European subsidiary)
its highest honor, the Jubilee Award, in recognition of those individuals
or organizations who've helped Israel's economy most through trade and
investments.
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- Many other companies and/or their officials have also
won it, including Johnson and Johnson, the UK retailer Marks & Spencer,
the French food company Danone, Kimberly-Clark, L'Oreal, Nestle, Lockheed
Martin, Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, Volkswagon, De Beers, Goldman Sachs,
Archer Daniel Midland, Cisco Systems, Motorola, AOL, formerly AOL/Time
Warner, and numerous others.
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- Major Israeli companies include:
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- Delta Galil Industries Ltd.
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- Israel's largest textile manufacturer produces clothing
and underwear for popular brands including, Gap, J-Crew, JC Penny, Calvin
Klein, Playtex, Victoria's Secret, Hugo Boss, Banana Republic, Ralph Lauren,
and others.
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- Dov Lautman founded and chairs the company, is close
to top Israeli officials, and achieved notoriety after sweatshopwatch.org
called him a "Sweatshop Czar" for exploiting Arab labor in Egypt
and Jordan. In March 2007, he won the Israel Prize for lifetime achievement
for his contribution to the country and its people at the expense of neighboring
Arabs he exploits.
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- Ahava
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- From its illegal Mitzpe Shalem settlement facility, the
company produces cosmetics using Dead Sea salt, minerals, and mud, natural
substances extracted from West Bank Palestinian land.
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- Code Pink's "Stolen Beauty" campaign says:
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- "Ahava promises "Beauty Secrets from the Dead
Sea." And wait until you hear those secrets! Because Ahava is hiding
the ugly truth - its products actually come from stolen Palestinian natural
resources....Don't let the 'Made in Israel' sticker fool you - when you
buy Avaha products you help finance the destruction of hope for a peaceful
and just future for both Israelis and Palestinians."
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- Avaha uses Palestinian resources without their permission
and pays no compensation for them. In addition, Israel denies Palestinians
access to the West Bank portion of the Dead Sea so companies like Avaha
can exploit it.
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- Dorot Garlic and Herbs
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- Established in 1992 in Kibbutz Dorot, the company is
now Israel's largest frozen seasonings supplier to food retainers, hotels,
and restaurants in America, Canada and Europe.
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- The Strauss Group and Its Subsidiaries
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- Israel's second largest food and beverage company supports
the Golani reconnaissance platoon, infamous for its decades of slaughtering
Palestinians, most recently during Operation Cast Lead.
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- In the "corporate responsibility" section of
its website, a sub-heading titled "In the Field With Soldiers"
states:
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- "Our connection with soldiers goes as far back as
the country, and even further. We see a mission and need to continue to
provide our soldiers with support, to enhance their quality of life and
service conditions, and sweeten their special moments....at the front to
spoil them with our best products," including Max Brenner Chocolates
- another brand to boycott because the company backs Israel's killing machine.
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- Sabra is another Strauss company in a joint venture with
Pepsico. It produces traditional Arab salads like hummus, baba ghanoush,
and fried eggplant.
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- Agrexco
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- The company is half Israeli state-owned, exporting fresh
fruits, vegetables, and herbs from Israel and the Occupied Territories,
operating under the Carmel, Jaffa and Coral brands. In the West Bank, Agrexco
exploits Palestinian workers, including children, paying sub-poverty wages,
no benefits, no sick or holiday pay, no rights, and no union.
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- Hadiklaim
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- The Israeli Date Growers' Cooperative sells 65% of all
Israeli and West Bank settlement-produced dates under the brand names King
Solomon and Jordan River. They also supply supermarkets and retail chains
that market them under their own private brands. Customers include UK-based
Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury, Tesco and Waitrose.
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- Harvesting dates is hard work and why Israelis use cheap
Palestinian labor for it - preferably children who are small, agile, work
for less, and are easier to cheat.
- The job entails days beginning at 5AM, being hoisted
atop date palm trees up to 12 meters, left there for up to eight hours
with no break and no way down until mechanically returned at day's end.
Workers cling to trees with one arm, using the other for their quota, with
no break, and if they complain or fall behind, they're fired.
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- Agrexco and Hadiklaim harvest and sell most dates produced
in Israel or on illegal West Bank settlements, including brands mislabeled
"West Bank."
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- Gush Shalom's BDS Support
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- Translated from Hebrew, Gush Shalom means "The Peace
Bloc" - hard core, especially in times of crisis. Opposing the occupation,
it supports an independent Palestine "in all the territories occupied
by Israel in 1967" with East Jerusalem its capital and diaspora refugees
free to return or be justly compensated for lost land and property.
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- In July 2006, it listed settlement-made products/factories
to be boycotted, headed by the comment that "A penny to the settlements
is a penny against peace." Consumer ones include:
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- -- Avaha cosmetics;
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- -- Aphrodite cosmetics;
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- -- AMB cosmetics;
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- -- Adora Screens;
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- -- Aladin cleaning products;
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- -- Abadi "Mizrahiot" salted bagel cookies;
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- -- Ahva halva and candy;
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- -- Adanim Tea;
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- -- Arava Grapes;
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- -- Areva Herbs;
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- -- Barken Cellars wine makers;
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- -- Bel Efri jewelery;
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- -- Barken Sweets;
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- -- Barshap cosmetics;
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- -- Better and Different health food;
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- -- Beigel & Beigel pretzel bakery;
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- -- Beitili furniture and carpets;
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- -- Ben-Or toys;
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- -- Doron Furnitures;
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- -- Dotan leather goods;
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- -- Eden Springs Ltd. mineral water;
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- -- Edumim fish processed food;
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- -- Euro Veavers carpets;
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- -- Ever & Levin jewelry;
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- -- Gilad spices;
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- -- Golan Cheese;
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- -- Golan Wines;
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