Oxfam pans Scarlett Johansson for Israeli deal
▻http://bigstory.ap.org/article/oxfam-pans-scarlett-johansson-israeli-deal
Oxfam International is criticizing Scarlett Johansson over her new ad campaign for an Israeli company that operates in the West Bank.
Israeli drink maker #SodaStream International Ltd. recently signed the U.S. actress as its first “global brand ambassador.” She is to appear in a television ad during the Super Bowl on Feb. 2.
SodaStream has come under fire from pro-Palestinian activists for maintaining a large factory in an Israeli settlement in the West Bank, a territory captured by Israel in 1967 and claimed by the Palestinians.
Johansson has served as a global ambassador for Oxfam since 2005, raising funds and promoting awareness about global poverty.
The humanitarian group said that while it respects the independence of its ambassadors, it opposes “all trade” from Israeli settlements, claiming they are illegal and deny Palestinian rights. “We have made our concerns known to Ms. Johansson and we are now engaged in a dialogue on these important issues,” it said.
#bds