‘It’s time to ditch Garnier’. That’s the message from Palestinian human rights organisation, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, as it emerged that Garnier has, over the last few days, provided ‘care packages’ of face creams, deodorants, soaps and other cosmetics to female members of the Israeli army.
The company says it has provided the ‘girly’ packages to the women ‘so they can still pamper themselves, even in times of war!’
Sarah Colborne, Director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: ‘It’s beyond words that, while the Israeli army is raining death and destruction on Palestinian children, men and women in Gaza with its bombs and shells, Garnier is providing face creams and facial soaps to that army’s female soldiers.
‘However, no amount of soap can wash away the stench of Israel’s massacre in Gaza, and there are no cosmetics that can beautify the destruction and horror that the Israeli army has wrought on the Palestinians. Garnier’s actions turn our stomachs with revulsion and we are calling on everyone worldwide with a conscience to boycott Garnier and its parent company, L’Oreal.’
L’Oreal Israel has a factory in the Israeli town of Migdal Haemek. The factory manufactures hair and skin care products for export mainly to Europe and North America.
Migdal Haemek was established in 1952 on lands belonging to the ethnically-cleansed Palestinian village of al-Mujaydil, whose original Palestinian inhabitants are still denied the right to return to their homes.
PSC is also encouraging supporters of Palestinian human rights to tweet Garnier with their comments on its donation to the Israeli army, using the hashtag #BoycottGarnier
Notes to editors:
Garnier is channelling its products to the Israeli army via the pro-Israel organisation, Stand with Us, which had made an appeal for financial donations to buy toiletries, energy bars and other goods for the Israeli army.
Photos of soldiers receiving the goods have been posted on Facebook