Scarlett Johansson SodaStream row: what's going on?
Actress quits as ambassador for Oxfam amid row over her support for Israeli drinks maker
SCARLETT JOHANSSON has quit her role as an Oxfam global ambassador over a bubbling controversy involving drinks maker SodaStream. The actress has faced criticism since she showed support for the Israeli company a few weeks ago. So what exactly is going on?
Why is SodaStream so controversial?
The drinks maker has come under fire from pro-Palestinian activists for maintaining a large factory in an Israeli settlement in the West Bank. Critics accuse SodaStream of exploiting the cheap land, labour and tax breaks afforded to Israeli industries in the occupied West Bank – territory seized in the 1967 war, which the Palestinians want for their eventual future state.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
How is Johannson involved?
Earlier this month, the actress signed on as the first global brand ambassador for SodaStream, and she is set to appear in an advert for the drinks maker during the Super Bowl on 2 February. Oxfam criticised her support for the Israeli company. The charity opposes trade from settlements, which is considered illegal under international law. It released a statement to say that businesses operating in settlements "further the ongoing poverty and denial of rights of the Palestinian communities that we work to support" and said it was "considering the implications" for Johannson's Oxfam role.
Why has Johannson left Oxfam?
A spokesman for Johansson said she has "respectfully" decided to end her ambassador role after eight years because of a "fundamental difference of opinion". Previously, Johansson argues that she is a "supporter of economic cooperation and social interaction between a democratic Israel and Palestine". She says that SodaStream is a company that is "not only committed to the environment but to building a bridge to peace between Israel and Palestine".
What does SodaStream say?
The company's chief executive, Daniel Birnbaum, insists his Israeli and Palestinian staff are treated equally, that his company helps put food on the table for hundreds of Palestinian families daily and calls his factory "a model for peace". However, one unnamed Palestinian employee told Reuters there was "a lot of racism" at work. "Most of the managers are Israeli, and West Bank employees feel they can't ask for pay rises or more benefits because they can be fired and easily replaced," he added.
Wasn't Johannson's SodaStream advert banned?
The original advert has had to be edited, but this was not related to the West Bank row. In the last few seconds of the advert, Johansson originally said: "Sorry, Coke and Pepsi". Fox – which will air the Super Bowl – apparently feared this would upset its halftime sponsor, Pepsi, and asked for the line to be pulled.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 3, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - presidential pitching, wavering convictions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Netanyahu’s reforms: an existential threat to Israel?
feature The nation is divided over controversial move depriving Israel’s supreme court of the right to override government decisions
By The Week Staff Published
-
A country still in crisis: Lebanon three years on from Beirut blast
feature Political, economic and criminal dramas are causing a damaging stalemate in the Middle East nation
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
The past controversies of Benjamin Netanyahu
Under the Radar The Israeli prime minister has been in hot water before
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Israel on edge, Netanyahu hospitalized ahead of Supreme Court overhaul vote
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Jenin and the endless cycle of Palestinian displacement
feature Refugee camp at the heart of a struggle around demographics, displacement and mobility
By The Week Staff Published
-
Netanyahu brings Israel to a crossroads
feature The prime minister was ‘forced to pause’ his ‘ambitious plan’ to weaken country’s supreme court
By The Week Staff Published
-
Why are Netanyahu's judicial reforms so controversial?
In Depth Opponents have warned the government's suggested reforms could be the end of democracy in Israel
By Justin Klawans Last updated
-
Israel reportedly behind drone attack on Iranian military-linked warehouse in Isfahan
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published