LOS ANGELES - Scarlett Johansson is ending her relationship
with a humanitarian group after being criticized over her support for
SodaStream, the Israeli company with a factory in the West Bank.
A statement released by Johansson's spokesman Wednesday said
the 29-year-old actress has "a fundamental difference of opinion"
with Oxfam International because the humanitarian group opposes all trade from
Israeli settlements, saying they are illegal and deny Palestinian rights.
"Scarlett Johansson has respectfully decided to end her
ambassador role with Oxfam after eight years," the statement said.
"She and Oxfam have a fundamental difference of opinion in regards to the
boycott, divestment and sanctions movement. She is very proud of her
accomplishments and fundraising efforts during her tenure with Oxfam."
Earlier this month, "The Avengers" and
"Her" actress signed on as the first global brand ambassador of
SodaStream International Ltd., and she's set to appear in an ad for the at-home
soda maker during the Super Bowl on Feb. 2.
SodaStream has come under fire from pro-Palestinian
activists for maintaining a large factory in the West Bank settlement of Ma'ale
Adumim, some 10 minutes from Jerusalem. The factory employs more than 500
Palestinians.
In response to the criticism, Johansson said last week she
was a "supporter of economic cooperation and social interaction between a
democratic Israel and Palestine."
Oxfam took issue with Johansson, noting it was
"considering the implications of her new statement and what it means for
Ms. Johansson's role as an Oxfam global ambassador."
Johansson had served as a global ambassador for Oxfam since
2007, raising funds and promoting awareness about global poverty. In her role
as an Oxfam ambassador, she traveled to India, Sri Lanka and Kenya to highlight
the impact of traumatic disasters and chronic poverty.
Oxfam representatives did not immediately return messages
seeking comment.
No comments:
Post a Comment