Letter to Oxfam America: Stand with justice and drop Soda Stream endorser Scarlett Johansson

January 29, 2014

Raymond Offenheiser
President
Oxfam America

Dear Mr. Offenheiser:

After weeks of intense pressure and scrutiny regarding Oxfam’s Goodwill Ambassador Scarlett Johansson’s endorsement of Israeli settlement product Soda Stream, we are writing to express our extreme disappointment in Oxfam’s inaction regarding severing your ties with Ms. Johansson.
The American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), a national, grassroots education and advocacy organization, lends its voice to the growing chorus of individuals and organizations demanding Ms. Johansson either end her contract with Soda Stream or that Oxfam drop her as a Goodwill Ambassador.

 We do not need to reiterate to you here all the reasons why the endorsement of a soda-making machine produced in an Israeli settlement is immoral, unethical and grossly anathema to Oxfam’s position on human rights and Israeli settlements in the Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. We are sure you are well aware that Oxfam International produced a report in 2012, “On the Brink,” detailing the negative impact of Israeli settlements on Palestinians in the Jordan Valley.

Journalist Ali Abunimah wrote in the Electronic Intifada on Jan. 27, 2014, that Oxfam America is undergoing an “internal revolt” over the issue, according to an internal source who asked not to be named. At issue is Oxfam America’s concern that ending your relationship with Ms. Johansson would negatively impact donors, according to the article. “‘… they [Oxfam America] always claim that anything Oxfam says on Palestine or Israel affects their fundraising. They almost have veto power on what Oxfam does on Palestine,’ the insider added.”

As an American organization educating the public about Palestine and advocating for Palestinians human rights, AMP is no stranger to controversy. Yet, historically we have found that we have never suffered a loss of supporters or donors whenever we have stood on the right side of justice.
Ms. Johansson’s Super Bowl commercial, which was released Tuesday, shows the actor musing about how to make the video “go viral.” She then strips off her lab coat and begins to sip her Soda Stream beverage while dancing seductively. The ad is sickening and extremely offensive to all Palestinians who currently suffer under Israeli occupation, who have lost land to

Israeli settlements and the separation barrier, to Palestinian refugees who are refused the right of return, to Palestinian citizens of Israel who suffer second- and third-class status, to the Palestinians in Gaza who are living in inhumane conditions because of Israel’s siege and all Palestinians in Diaspora.

Continuing your relationship with Ms. Johansson in light of this distasteful commercial and her relationship with an entity that is complicit in the suffering and deprivation of rights of the Palestinian people does nothing but damage Oxfam’s credibility, despite your organization’s long record on human rights.

AMP is imploring you today to take the courageous step of standing on the right side of justice and to severe Oxfam’s ties with Scarlett Johansson and Soda Stream.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Dr. Hatem Bazian
Chairman
American Muslims for Palestine