Video courtesy of Mr Alex Seymour
After a break during the Christmas and New Year period, pro-Palestine human rights demonstrators came together for the first Ahava protest of 2011. As usual, no fewer than eleven police were in attendance as were a small number of Zionists to oppose the campaign.
Setting up: ELEVEN police constables assigned to PROTECT a business complicit in violations of international law! Something's not right here.
Over the two-hour period, campaigners chanted, sang and spoke with passers-by about the Ahava and the broader campaign for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel. Many members of the public were attracted by Debbie’s operatic voice and came to see what was going on and enquire about it. A significant number of passers-by were supportive of the campaign and pleased to see demonstrators out in force, similarly, those who weren’t aware of the campaign, were pleased to find out more.
Voices of truth!
Among the people campaigners spoke to included a self-described left-wing Israeli man and his wife who said that they both deeply ashamed of their government and assured us that many of their fellow citizens share their feelings. They fully supported the boycott campaign and wished us the best of luck.
In tune with reality. The singing just seemed to draw in more people.
Co Vice-Chair of the Zionist Federation, Jonathan Hoffman, as usual, was bumbling about despite Ahava management on the 23rd Dec asking him not to be present. Calling the boycott campaign a “nazi boycott”, he was similarly determined as ever to make unsupported accusations about human rights campaigners, which is no real shock considering Israel’s recent denouncement of Israeli human rights organisations as acting against their interests.
The usual turnout and the same zealots: Zionists Ian Sternberg on the left, Jonathan Hoffman on the right and...
Ahava has been the subject of an ongoing international campaign for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against both Israeli and settlement produce. All of Ahava’s products, baring their tweezers, are manufactured on the illegal Israeli settlement of Mitzpe Shalem. The settlement and the factory are in violation of the Fourth Geneva Conventions and in addition, the products contravene UK DEFRA (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) guidelines on labelling, as they are claimed to have been produced in Israel, which the guidelines explicitly state would be a crime.
...East London Zionist fanatic, Martin "Sugarbabe" Sugarman unsuccessfully trying to get people to take his propaganda.
The next protest against Ahava will take place on Saturday 22nd January from 12 noon till 2pm. New faces are always welcome.
Adidas – Don’t Run with Apartheid
A new campaign hits the streets!
Protestors Demand Adidas Kick The Occupation to the Kerb
08 Jan 2011
Today, Palestine solidarity activists visited the Adidas store in Covent Garden, London, to protest the company’s sponsorship of the Jerusalem Marathon, due to take place in March 2011.
A small group of protestors entered the shop and spoke with a member of management explaining the issue and presenting a letter to be forwarded to the UK and European head offices. The management were cooperative and aware of the issue at hand. Protestors continued outside the shop to give leaflets to passers-by and those entering the shop which asked them to demand that Adidas withdraw’s its sponsorship. Passers-by were supportive and engaged and mentioned to us about the Ahava campaign that was going on round the corner in Monmouth Street. It was a boost to all to know local people did take notice and knew about the issues.
Campaigners outside the Adidas shop near Covent Garden.
Over recent weeks a global campaign has kicked off against Adidas under the mantle, “Adidas: Don’t Run with Apartheid”. Protests and letters have been sent from across the globe and there is some prospect that Adidas may respond to citizen pressure.
Currently, through its sponsorship, not only does Adidas’ support for this event undermine the Palestinian call for a cultural and sporting boycott of Israel, the proposed route of the marathon goes through the illegal settlement of Pisgat Ze’ev.
Where the construction of these illegal settlements are a violation of international law – namely the Fourth Geneva Convention, Adidas’ sponsorship of the marathon acts to aid and abet this war crime.
In addition, the marathon is organised by the same municipality that routinely organises house evictions and demolitions in East Jerusalem.
The construction of illegal settlements has caused the death of numerous Palestinian demonstrators who have gone to non-violently protest the theft of their land. We mourn the recent death of Jawaher Abu Rahmah who died as a result of inhaling tear gas fired at her by Israeli soldiers on 31/12/2010. Only a year previously, her brother, Basem Abu Rahmah died having been shot at with a tear gas canister directly to his chest at a protest in the same location.
More reasons why Adidas should withdraw its sponsorship of the Jerusalem Marathon can be found here.
The global campaign is asking for people worldwide to take the time to contact Adidas and demand they withdraw their involvement.
Here’s a sample letter:
Dear Sir/Madam
I want to express my concern and disapproval at Adidas for sponsoring the forthcoming Jerusalem Marathon on the 25th March 2011. The route of the marathon will pass through Israeli controlled West Jerusalem, before winding its way around the illegal settlement of Pisgat Ze’ev which has been built on stolen Palestinian land in occupied East Jerusalem.
Where these settlements are located is a violation of international law, in particular, the Fourth Geneva Convention. Adidas’ sponsorship acts to aid and abet this war crime.
It is important to note that Adidas’ sponsorship of the marathon, whether in the current form or in a revised one, undermines the Palestinian call out for a cultural, sporting and economic boycott of Israel. In 2005, hundreds of Palestinian civil society, trade union and charitable organisations came together in unison to call for global non-violent citizen action through a Boycott Divestment and Sanctions campaign to pressure Israel into conforming with its human rights and international obligations.
Since 1967 Israel has moved over 260,000 Settlers into the Occupied Palestinian Territories, flouting international law and dozens of UN resolutions and forcing Palestinians of their land.The marathon is organised by the same municipality that routinely organises house evictions and demolitions in East Jerusalem. Adidas’ sponsorship signals an international ‘business as usual’ message to apartheid and occupation, perpetuated by Israel, on behalf of Adidas.
I ask that Adidas withdraws its sponsorship of the Jerusalem Marathon and stands up and join the many companies, athletes, singers, celebrities, politicians and citizens worldwide who have already done so, for human rights and for an end to the apartheid occupation.
In the event that Adidas chooses to sponsor this event, people in London and throughout the world will ensure that every patron who walks through the doors of your shops, as well as Adidas stockists, will be informed as to exactly what they are supporting.
Thank you.
Add your voice to the growing numbers and make a real impact!
Email: global_public_relations@adidas.com
and/or
you can send a message to Adidas UK here.
Spotted Underground
08 Jan 2011
On the way back, we noticed this poster at an underground (subway) station (below) advertising a photo exhibition at London’s Natural History Museum sponsored by Veolia, a firm complicit in the ongoing occupation and dispossession of the Palestinian people.
