Scarlett Johansson Leaves Oxfam

Scarlett Johansson Leaves Oxfam

Scarlett Johansson recently received numerous tweets and editorials from Boycott Divestment and Sanctions group that demanded her to break from SodaStream International Ltd. The call came after she starred in an advertisement of the company for the Super Bowl. After she refused to split up with the manufacturer of seltzer-making machines, the group focused on the humanitarian organization she was connected with.

The efforts of the group to compel Oxfam International to end their relationship with the actress resulted to an announcement that the actress will step down as an ambassador of the organization. The organization indicated that the endorsement deal of Scarlett Johansson was not compatible with the work she does for Oxfam.

SodaStream employs Palestinians in the West Bank, which is claimed by the Palestinians for their future independent state.

The end of the relationship between Oxfam and Scarlett Johansson is the latest victory of the movement, which is praised by supporters for its nonviolent approach. However, critics indicated that the group is targeting Israel, which is undermining its right to exist.

A number of businesses in Europe were persuaded by the group to limit trade with Israeli companies linked to the settlement in the West Bank. The efforts of the group also increased apprehensions among the leadership of Israel as the finance minister of Israel, Yair Lapid, indicated that the country will lose European markets and become isolated if no peace agreement is reached with the Palestinians.

Omar Barghouti was among the founders of the movement inspired by the boycotts of the apartheid government of South Africa. However, the Palestinian leadership is not fully supporting the group as President Mahmoud Abbas said his support for a boycott is limited to products manufactured in the West Bank.

SodaStream executives indicated that the local economy has benefitted from their business with 500 Palestinians forming part of its 1,300 workforce. The company operates twenty-two plants around the world.

However, Scarlett Johansson defended her SodaStream role as she reiterated her support for social interaction and economic cooperation between Palestine and Israel.

Posted by Kade Quinn on Saturday February 01 2014, 4:56 AM EST. Ref: LA Times. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Entertainment, Featured News. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0