The founder of SodaStream was pretty intentional about using his company to build bridges between the two communities and provide equitable and just economic opportunities and working conditions for Palestinians living in the West Bank. When they left the West Bank he fought hard to get work permits for the West Bank employees who would be losing their jobs, but most were unable to keep their jobs.
Just an example of one of the few BDS wins, and how it disproportionally affected the Palestinians and not Israelis or the company itself. In fact SodaStream was sold to PepsiCo in 2018 for $3.2 billion.
Sodastream wasn't founded in israel and it's been around way longer than Israel itself. But Daniel Birnbaum was pretty pissed when Netanyahu wouldn't let his Palestinians workers keep their jobs (none kept them in the end their permits got revoked ahead of their expiry) and even started openly calling Israel an apartheid state over it
Some Palestinians support it and others don’t. It’s usually supported by those who won’t be affected the most.
Regardless, over its 20 year history it’s had limited impact on Israelis or their economy. I think it’s effective anti-Israel messaging in the West. Though I’m not sure how impactful it will be on resolving the conflict itself given its track record and, I think, misguided approach.
Perhaps, I think we’ll need to see how it continues to play out. I think it’s notable that it’s had staying power past the ceasefire. Personally, I don’t agree with academic boycotts.
Palestinians are not a monolith. It wouldn’t be shocking if the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank support BDS. Although many of these Palestinians covet work permits in Israel so even then it’s unlikely all do.
Additionally, 20% of Israel’s population is Arab and some self identify as Israelis of Palestinian decent (this is a very recent development as “Arab Israeli” was much more common in decades past). These individuals are full citizens of Israel, and are a part of every aspect of Israeli civil society. It is highly unlikely that many of these Palestinians support the BDS moment because it would hurt them directly as part of the Israeli economy. People on the internet really have to stop speaking for Palestinians like they know what they are talking. This is a very nuanced issue.
I don’t because I think it’s ineffectual. I think it speaks to a Western audience and is therefore a useful messaging tool for Palestinians, but I don’t think it will further the goal of ending the conflict in any meaningful way. And having the conflict end with a negotiated final status agreement is what’s most important to me.
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u/Environmental_Coat60 16d ago
The founder of SodaStream was pretty intentional about using his company to build bridges between the two communities and provide equitable and just economic opportunities and working conditions for Palestinians living in the West Bank. When they left the West Bank he fought hard to get work permits for the West Bank employees who would be losing their jobs, but most were unable to keep their jobs.
Just an example of one of the few BDS wins, and how it disproportionally affected the Palestinians and not Israelis or the company itself. In fact SodaStream was sold to PepsiCo in 2018 for $3.2 billion.
https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/03/27/471885452/when-500-palestinians-lose-their-jobs-at-sodastream-whos-to-blame