Thank you to everyone who voted in the Guardian online poll we drew attention to yesterday, about whether Oxfam should sever its links with actress Scarlett Johansson over her advertising deal with the Israeli company SodaStream.
Our email was opened by nearly 7,000 people, and many of them must have voted as the poll - http://www.theguardian.com/
However, things have taken an unexpected twist as Scarlett Johansson has pre-emptively severed her links with Oxfam over its support for the anti-Israel boycott movement rather than vice versa!
She has issued a statement saying:
“Scarlett Johansson has respectfully decided to end her ambassador role with Oxfam after eight years. She and Oxfam have a fundamental difference of opinion in regards to the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement. She is very proud of her accomplishments and fundraising efforts during her tenure with Oxfam.”
An earlier statement explaining her views said:
“I remain a supporter of economic cooperation and social interaction between a democratic Israel and Palestine. SodaStream is a company that is not only committed to the environment but to building a bridge to peace between Israel and Palestine, supporting neighbours working alongside each other, receiving equal pay, equal benefits and equal rights.”
There is coverage of her decision here:
http://www.algemeiner.com/
http://blogs.timesofisrael.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Best wishes,
Luke Akehurst
Director, We Believe in Israel
PS, if you haven't signed out petition against Palestinian hate education and indoctrination yet, please do so here: http://www.
