Human rights activists will be protesting across the country this Saturday against the carbonated drinks-machine manufacturer, SodaStream.
SodaStream operates from an illegal Israeli settlement built on stolen Palestinian land. The company has been targeted by campaigners responding to the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions on companies which profit from Israel’s occupation.
In Brighton, where SodaStream’s flagship store Ecostream is based, a demonstration will leave from the Clocktower at midday and march through the city.
In addition, protesters will be outside the John Lewis store in Oxford Street, London, and outside SodaStream stockists from Sheffield to Southampton, calling on retailers to stop stocking SodaStream products.
Sarah Colborne, Director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said:
“SodaStream markets itself as an environmentally friendly company, but it profits from the theft of Palestinian land. Its main factory is in an Israeli settlement – Mishor Adumim – in the Occupied West Bank.
“Mishor Adumim, like all Israeli settlements, is built on Palestinian land – in this case, on land that was stolen from seven Palestinian villages which were demolished so it could be built. Israeli settlements are illegal under international law.
“SodaStream tries to give Israel’s occupation a sparkling cover, whilst Palestinians are thirsting for justice. Palestinians living under Israeli occupation in the West Bank are allocated only a quarter of the water that is needed under international standards, whilst Israelis living in West Bank land in settlements are allocated 70 times more water than Palestinians. Less than five per cent of the water in the Gaza Strip, which is under Israeli occupation and siege, is safe to drink.
“We are calling on stockists not to promote companies which profit from Palestinian suffering, and which profit from Israel’s numerous violations of international law.”
