Companies Supporting Apartheid and Occupation: Carmel-Agrexco and Checkers
Worldwide Activism, Palestinian Grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign, January 20th, 2007
Palestinian and international organizations have staged protests and are organizing a boycott campaign against companies that continue to support the occupation of Palestine. This is beginning to catch on in Europe, with one region in Norway cutting ties with Israel (The US has threatened "serious political consequences" if these becomes a part of Norwegian policy).
UK
One such company that benefits from the Occupation is Carmel-Agrexco. Carmel-Agrexco is 50% owned by Apartheid Israel and imports produce from Occupation settlements in the West Bank. Agrexco is a partnership between Gol (50%), Israeli growers (25%) and the Tnuva cooperative (25%). Agrexco is the largest exporter of settlement produce, primarily selling produce from settlements in the Jordan Valley. The company is responsible for 70% of Israeli fresh produce sold abroad, with annual sales amounting to $750 million in 2006 (80% from exports). In the UK Agrexco is known under the Carmel, Coral and Jaffa brands. The UK is the most important foreign market for Israeli fresh produce.
While Agrexco and the Occupation profit, Palestinian farmers continue to suffer as Israel insists on blocking Palestinian exports. Additionally, Occupation forces continue to steal crucial land and water resources. These factors, along with the Wall, settlers' roads and military checkpoints (it should be noted that Gol appointed a team in the Occupation's Ministry of Defense to examine how to 'improve conditions' at the checkpoints) have devastated Palestinian agriculture and forced many Palestinians to seek jobs inside Israel, where they suffer from low wages and a lack of workers' rights.
In the UK, seven Palestine solidarity protesters from London and Brighton blocked the Agrexco distribution center in the UK. Using wire fences and bicycle D-Locks, they were able to suspend all traffic into and out of the building for several hours after which they were arrested.
By focusing on the practices of Agrexco and the violations of International Law (and thus English Law) by the Occupation, the protestors will be able to use the trial to pressure Agrexco and draw attention to the need for economic sanctions against Israel. During the trial, Palestinians who have been affected by the Occupation will give first hand testimony on Agrexco�s actions in the Jordan Valley. In addition, the activists will be supported by influential scholars and human rights workers.
South Africa
The offensive against businesses importing from Occupation settlements has also begun in South Africa. The super market chain Checkers, part of Shoprite Holdings LTD (Link), sells Israeli avocados grown on Jewish settlements in the West Bank. When contacted by the South African based Palestine Solidarity Committee, procurement manager Lee Smith 'quite proudly stated that the avocadoes are from Israel [because] local avocadoes are too expensive'. This not only adversely affects the local avocado industry, but also provides economic support to Apartheid Israel. This a betrayal of South Africa's struggle against apartheid as well as The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) that Checkers purports to support.
Contact and Event Dates
In South Africa, contact Mr. Lee Smith (082 4452834) and demand that Checkers stop doing business with Apartheid Israel. Also, Checkers MD, Mr. Whitey Basson, should be contacted (021 9804000). At the moment he is on leave, and the most effective means of pressure would be through faxes (021 9806744).
In the UK, the trial will take place at Uxbridge Magistrates Court, 23rd of January to the 2nd of February 2006. The activists will be charged with two offences under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. Section 68: (Aggravated Trespass) and Section 69: (Failure To Leave Land). The defense team will be advised by Palestinian QC Michel Abdel Massih of Tooks Chambers.
A series of events has been organized around the trial:
-Monday 23rd January 2006: 1 - 2: pm: Palestinian Meal Against Apartheid and Dabka (Traditional Palestinian dancing) (Press Photo Op) Outside Uxbridge Magistrates Court (Uxbridge Tube).
-Wednesday 25th January 2006: 6:30pm � 7:30pm: Press Conference ULU, Room 2C, Malet Street, London WC1 with Uxbridge Seven Defendants, Dr Uri Davis and Sue Blackwell.
-Wednesday 25th January 2006: 7:30pm: Public Meeting: 'Why we need to boycott Apartheid�, Room 2C, Malet Street, London WC1. Speakers will include Dr. Uria Davis, Sue Blackwell, Lena Green, Ghada Karmi, and one of the Uxbridge 7.
A protest is being organized in support of Palestinian farmers:
'Don't Flirt with the Occupation'
February 10, 2007: Valentines Day Mass Demonstration Against Carmel-Agrexco
The Valentines Day period is one of Agrexco UK's busiest times, and the company will be receiving large shipments of fresh flowers from Israel and the settlements. The Boycott Israeli Goods Campaign is calling for people to join in a mass picket of the Carmel-Agrexco depot in opposition to the sale of Israeli goods and in support of Palestinian farmers who are not able to market their goods internationally.
For more detailed information: www.bigcampaign.org or contact boycott@palestinecampaign.org
EXPLORE THE ISSUE
Search for more about Agrexco on this site.
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The Taste of Occupation (September 1st, 2008)
Photo Exhibit: “Threatened villages – 6 years of struggle” (August 31st, 2008)
Report: “The Arab Jahalin: from the Nakba to the Wall” (August 31st, 2008)
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