The SodaStream carbonator is one of the products targeted as
part of the boycott of Israel. Not only
does the Coop have over $150,000/year in gross revenues from the sale of
SodaStream products, we are also
collectively keeping over half a million soda bottles out of the waste stream.
SodaStream has 18 production and filling sites worldwide,
with the primary one located in Mishor Adumim, part of Zone C, an area
designated as under Israeli control according to the Oslo accords, and its
final status is to be determined through negotiations. Despite claims to the contrary, there is
nothing illegal about neither the factory nor its exports.
The Mishor Adumim facility was built on deserted land leased
in 1998. In the event that this area will be transferred to the new State of
Palestine, it will be for the new authority to decide if they want to keep this
plant, which employs hundreds of Palestinians. It is a good business and would
likely just end up paying taxes to the new entity and continue on. If asked, SodaStream will close this plant.
The SodaStream factory employs 300 Palestinian workers from
the local villages, who earn 4 to 6 times more than they would where they live.
They get social benefits – medical, maternity leave, etc., which is unheard of
in their villages. Independent auditing companies have found the working
conditions, compensation plan and general employee atmosphere to be
excellent. Each worker is providing for
the needs of approximately 10 people on his/her salary. Those who wish to shut down the Mishor Adumim
plant do not have the Palestinian workers' best interests at heart.
Rather than targeted, SodaStream should be recognized for
its positive contribution to the welfare of its employees and for bringing people
from different and often opposing backgrounds to work together in peace and
harmony. Palestinians, Israeli Arabs and
Jews, Ethiopians, Russians, Americans and Bedouins, all work together, under
one roof, at the same production lines. SodaStream
brings work to an area with more than 30% unemployment. Investment and development of the economy is
the engine that will bring peace to the region.
Please come to the March General Meeting and vote NO on holding
the BDS referendum.
Thank you Barb, this was an excellent explanation to the issue.
ReplyDeleteavishay
I love my SodaStream, but I am a bit uncomfortable with their main operational site being located in a place where Palestinians are under Israeli control but have no democratic rights. Many who oppose boycotting all Israeli products say they could support a narrower boycott of goods produced in the West Bank, for that very reason. Economic development is necessary for Palestinian communities, but let's be clear: this is a settlement area, and the development of industry here tends to enlarge the area of Israeli control and thereby lessen the likelihood it will be part of the future state of Palestine.
ReplyDelete