By The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement has been growing globally. BDS allows individuals to take a stand for justice, and make politically conscious decisions to boycott companies that are complicit in Israel’s occupation.
Friends of Al-Aqsa have been calling for a boycott of Coca-Cola for several years in response to its support of Israel, and its illegal and immoral occupation, evidenced by subsidiary companies operating in illegal settlements.
So what are the settlements and why is it bad that Coca-Cola operates in them?
Israeli settlements are Jewish-only colonies, built on stolen Palestinian land in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and in the Syrian Golan Heights. Israel started building settlements in 1967, after it illegally occupied Gaza and the West Bank. It hasn’t stopped expanding them since, stealing more and more Palestinian land in the process.
Israel started building settlements in 1967, after it illegally occupied Gaza and the West Bank. It hasn’t stopped expanding them since, stealing more and more Palestinian land in the process.
The settlements violate Palestinian human rights, including the right to property, equality, a decent standard of living, and freedom of movement. Israel’s settlements are a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and therefore illegal under international law. The settlements deny Palestinians the right to self-determination, and also make it impossible for Palestinians to establish a viable independent state. Settlers get away with land theft while attacking and harassing Palestinians on a daily basis for simply being Palestinians.
Israel’s settlements are a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and therefore illegal under international law.
Coca-Cola’s operations in Israeli settlements not only violate international law but also help to sustain Israel’s ongoing occupation. Coca-Cola operates in the Atarot and Shadmot Mehola settlements.
Coca-Cola’s operations in Israeli settlements not only violate international law but also help to sustain Israel’s ongoing occupation.
The Atarot settlement has had huge implications for any viable Palestinian state. The settlement destroys the chances for Palestinians to have their own airport near Jerusalem, and it also blocks land contiguity in the West Bank and any future Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem. It has turned neighborhoods in East Jerusalem into ghettos, isolating them between Israeli settlements to the north (Atarot), east (Pisgat Zeev, Neve Yaacov) and the West (Givat Zeev, Ramot).
Shadmot Mehola is an illegal Israeli settlement in the north of the Jordan Valley, established in 1979 on agricultural land belonging to the Al Fukha family from Ein al Beida. Palestinian farmlands near Shadmot Mehola are left to dry out, and the farmers are forced to watch Israelis grow rich produce in the land occupied in the Jordan Valley.
Consumers buying products from companies that operate in settlements are complicit in Israel’s illegal actions and crimes.
Consumers buying products from companies that operate in settlements are complicit in Israel’s illegal actions and crimes.
Now you’ve read all the information, there are a number of ways you can help the #NotInMyFridge campaign.
Firstly, boycott Coca-Cola until it ends its operations in Israel’s illegal settlements.
Secondly, sign our petition and help us reach 15,000 signatures for the campaign so Coca-Cola feels the pressure
Thirdly, educate others by distributing Info Cards at your local school or college
If you’re committed to justice, peace, and human rights, then get involved and start campaigning for this noble cause. After all, it only takes a small group of politically active citizens to help change the world.
Written by Sara Chaudhry of Friends of Al-Aqsa