Scarlett Johansson: Don't Be the Face of Occupation!
Update: On January 29, 2014, Scarlett announced that she was stepping down as an Oxfam International Global Ambassador and Oxfam subsequently accepted her resignation. Find media coverage below and reaction from groups working for Palestinian rights here.
On January 10, 2014, SodaStream announced that Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson had become their first-ever Global Brand Ambassador. Her first act in her role will be starring in SodaStream's Super Bowl ad, which will be aired during the game's fourth quarter on February 2.
Scarlett happens to be an Oxfam Global Ambassador, a role that includes a responsibility to "push forward the fight against poverty and injustice." Since this announcement, BDS activists have been urging Scarlett to consider this responsibility and end her relationship with SodaStream.
Learn more below and find actions you can take to send the message that shilling for occupation profiteers in unacceptable.
SodaStream manufactures and distributes home carbonating devices and flavorings for soft drinks. The company’s main production site is in an illegal West Bank settlement, where the company conceals the fact that its products are manufactured in a settlement by using "Made in Israel" labels. As an Israeli settlement manufacturer, it exploits Palestinian land, resources and labor and actively supports Israel's military occupation.
In October 2012, Oxfam Italy cut its ties with Paola Maugeri over her role as a SodaStream PR Ambassador. In 2009, Oxfam International cut ties with Sex and the City star Kristin Davis over her role as spokesperson for cosmetics company Ahava, another Israeli settlement manufacturer.
Media
SodaStream controversy continues to bubble
February 11th, 2014
February 11th, 2014
Al Jazeera English article.
In West Bank Settlements, Israeli Jobs Are Double-Edged Sword
February 10th, 2014
February 10th, 2014
NYT coverage.
The boycott is our Palestinian non-violent resistance
February 10th, 2014
February 10th, 2014
Dr. Hanan Ashrawi's article in Haaretz.
Scarlett Johansson controversy shows Hollywood’s fading Zionism
February 8th, 2014
February 8th, 2014
Article in The National UAE.
Scarlett Johansson, SodaStream, and Oxfam
February 7th, 2014
February 7th, 2014
Coverage from Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe on BBC.
Scarlett Johansson row has boosted Israeli settlement boycott, say activists
February 6th, 2014
February 6th, 2014
Article in The Guardian.
Scarlett Johansson Controversy Highlights Growing Boycott Israel Movement
February 6th, 2014
February 6th, 2014
Coverage from The Real News.
Both Sides Declare P.R. Victory in Skirmish Over SodaStream Super Bowl Ad
February 3rd, 2014
February 3rd, 2014
Coverage from NYT's The Lede.
Yes, Scarlett Johansson's Defense Of SodaStream Is Problematic
February 3rd, 2014
February 3rd, 2014
Talking Points Memo article.
SodaStream Drops Amid Sanctions Over Jewish Settlements
February 3rd, 2014
February 3rd, 2014
Bloomberg News coverage.
Closing SodaStream's West Bank Factories Would Hurt Palestinians, but That's Not the Point
February 3rd, 2014
February 3rd, 2014
Coverage in Slate.
Hollywood and Real Life
February 3rd, 2014
February 3rd, 2014
Article in The Cairo Review of Global Affairs.
Who won the Israeli-Palestinian Super Bowl ad showdown?
February 3rd, 2014
February 3rd, 2014
Coverage from Al Jazeera America.
The cynical use of Palestinian workers in the SodaStream controversy
February 3rd, 2014
February 3rd, 2014
Article in +972 Magazine.
Why Ms Johansson's sponsorship trouble may be a cautionary tale for other celebs
February 3rd, 2014
February 3rd, 2014
Coverage in Independent.ie.
5 things I learned from the Scarlett Johansson/SodaStream affair
February 2nd, 2014
February 2nd, 2014
Article in +972 Magazine.
SodaStream boss accuses Oxfam of 'hypocrisy’ and funding BDS movement
February 2nd, 2014
February 2nd, 2014
Article in Haartez.
With All the Boycott Israel Talk, What Is BDS?
February 2nd, 2014
February 2nd, 2014
Article in The New Republic.
Johansson, SodaStream row bolstering Palestinian cause?
January 31st, 2014
January 31st, 2014
Article in Al Monitor.
Scarlett Johansson at Her Least Diplomatic
January 31st, 2014
January 31st, 2014
Opinion piece in Bloomberg.
How big was the SodaStream backlash?
January 31st, 2014
January 31st, 2014
Coverage from Al Jazeera English.
Scarlett Johansson and SodaStream: Vicky Cristina Jerusalem
January 31st, 2014
January 31st, 2014
Article in The Economist.
A star stumbles in the settlements
January 31st, 2014
January 31st, 2014
Editorial in the Financial Times.
Scarlett Johansson’s Super Bowl Ad Becomes An International Controversy
January 31st, 2014
January 31st, 2014
Article in Hollywood Life.
Why the Boycott Movement Scares Israel
January 31st, 2014
January 31st, 2014
Op-Ed in NYT by Omar Barghouti.
‘You seem to be on both sides of this legitimate/illegitimate kind of a thing’: State Dept. spox says neither Israeli settlements, nor settlement boycotts, are legitimate
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Article in Mondoweiss.
What You Need To Know About The Scarlett Johansson And SodaStream Controversy
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Coverage from BuzzFeed.
Scarlett Johansson and Oxfam, Torn Apart by Israeli Company Deal
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
NYT coverage.
Here's What Scarlett Johansson Doesn't Get About Israeli Settlements
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
PolicyMic article.
Bubble Trouble
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Article in Slate.
Scarlett Johansson Chooses SodaStream Over Oxfam After Dispute About West Bank Factory
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Coverage from NYT's The Lede.
Scarlett Johansson is right – the face of SodaStream doesn't fit with Oxfam
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Article in The Guardian.
How ScarJo Endorsing a Soda Machine Became an International Controversy
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Coverage from Foreign Policy.
Richard Haass praises Scarlett Johansson
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Article in Politico.
Scarlett Johansson chooses SodaStream over Oxfam, citing differences on boycott
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Coverage from +972 Magazine.
Scarlett Johansson and Oxfam part ways after controversial SodaStream endorsement
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Article in The Verge.
Scarlett Johansson quits Oxfam role over relationship with SodaStream
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Los Angeles Times article.
Scarlett Johansson will not solve SodaStream's troubles
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Article in Fortune Magazine.
Scarlett Johansson's Middle East Flap ... Over Soda
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
NPR coverage.
Scarlett Johansson Chooses SodaStream Over Humanitarian Group
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Article in Gizmodo.
Scarlett Johansson quits Oxfam role over SodaStream row
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
BBC coverage.
Scarlett Johansson not only abandons Oxfam but throws it under the bus
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Coverage from Mondoweiss.
Oxfam loses Scarlett Johansson over SodaStream ads and Jewish settlements
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Article on CNN.
Scarlett Johansson steps down from Oxfam ambassador role
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Coverage from The Guardian.
Scarlett Johansson, Oxfam, SodaStream, and Israel/Palestine Explained
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Article in Gawker.
Palestinians living near West Bank SodaStream factory urge Scarlett Johansson to end role with occupation profiteer
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Press release from Bab al Shams Village Council (in coalition with The Jahalin Association).
Actress Johansson-Oxfam rift puts spotlight on West Bank
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Coverage from Reuters.
Scarlett Johansson quits Oxfam
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Article in Electronic Intifada.
Johansson Steps Down as Humanitarian Ambassador
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Coverage from AP.
Video: Scarlett Johansson's soda problem
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
CNN coverage.
Why Scarlett Johansson Chose Homemade Soda over Oxfam
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Coverage in The Wire.
Palestinian workers back Scarlett Johansson's opposition to SodaStream boycott
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Article in The Christian Science Monitor
US Groups Say ScarJo Resignation as Oxfam Ambassador Will Strengthen Global Movement for Palestinian Rights
January 30th, 2014
January 30th, 2014
Groups working for Palestinian rights react to Scarlett Johansson's resignation from the role of Global Ambassador for Oxfam International.
Oxfam staff say charity’s tie to Scarlett Johansson puts their work in “jeopardy”
January 29th, 2014
January 29th, 2014
Article in Electronic Intifada.
Why Oxfam Should Drop Scarlett Johansson For Her Pro-SodaStream Stance
January 29th, 2014
January 29th, 2014
Article in The Daily Beast.
Oxfam under pressure to cut ties with Scarlett Johansson over SodaStream ad
January 29th, 2014
January 29th, 2014
Article in The Guardian.
Israeli settlement factory sparks Super Bowl-sized controversy
January 29th, 2014
January 29th, 2014
Coverage from Reuters.
Scarlett Johansson vs. Oxfam on West Bank Company Endorsement
January 29th, 2014
January 29th, 2014
Article in Nonprofit Quarterly.
Oxfam America office refuses to receive petition urging it to dump Scarlett Johansson
January 29th, 2014
January 29th, 2014
Coverage from Electronic Intifada.
Boston & LA rights advocates meet Oxfam & ScarJo's reps over concerns with Israeli settlements
January 29th, 2014
January 29th, 2014
The meeting and visits in four U.S. cities came amidst a viral debate in mainstream and social media about Johansson’s role as a Global Ambassador for both Oxfam and SodaStream.
Scarlett Johansson goes viral in anti-Israel settler campaign
January 28th, 2014
January 28th, 2014
Article in the Financial Times.
#NoScarJo: should Oxfam sever ties with Scarlett Johansson?
January 28th, 2014
January 28th, 2014
Coverage in The Guardian.
On Scarlett Johansson and 'Blood Bubbles'
January 28th, 2014
January 28th, 2014
Opinion piece in Al Jazeera English.
Oxfam’s Palestinian partners condemn charity’s “mishandling” of Scarlett Johansson affair
January 28th, 2014
January 28th, 2014
Article in Electronic Intifada.
SodaStream and Scarlett Johansson Make a Splash
January 27th, 2014
January 27th, 2014
Coverage in Forbes.
Scarlett Johansson's SodaStream Super Bowl Ad to Run Despite Criticism
January 27th, 2014
January 27th, 2014
Article in TV Guide.
Scarlett Johansson takes heat for promoting Israeli firm SodaStream
January 27th, 2014
January 27th, 2014
Article in the LA Times.
Scarlett Johansson’s Defense of SodaStream Factory in Occupied West Bank Fails to Sway Critics
January 27th, 2014
January 27th, 2014
Coverage in the NYT's The Lede.
Scarlett Johansson ad becomes online meme for Israeli-Palestinian conflict
January 27th, 2014
January 27th, 2014
Article in RT.
#WorldBrief with @ASE
January 27th, 2014
January 27th, 2014
HuffPost Live covers the campaign.
Signs of disarray at Oxfam over “ambassador of oppression” Scarlett Johansson
January 27th, 2014
January 27th, 2014
Coverage in Electronic Intifada.
Scarlett Johansson Stands by SodaStream Ad After Being Criticized for Working With West Bank-Based Company
January 26th, 2014
January 26th, 2014
Coverage in Eonline.
Scarlett Johansson is “ambassador for oppression,” says Oxfam founder’s grandson
January 26th, 2014
January 26th, 2014
Article in Electronic Intifada.
Scarlett Johansson's naive SodaStream defense
January 26th, 2014
January 26th, 2014
Article in +972 Magazine.
Scarlett Johansson gets an ally– Mike Huckabee
January 26th, 2014
January 26th, 2014
On Fox News, Huckabee defends Scarlett's endorsement of SodaStream.
Deconstructing Scarlett Johansson’s statement on SodaStream
January 25th, 2014
January 25th, 2014
Article in Mondoweiss.
Johansson Addresses Criticism Over Sodastream Deal
January 25th, 2014
January 25th, 2014
AP coverage.
US Groups Respond to Scarlett Johansson's Defense of Israeli Occupation, as Demands for Oxfam to Drop Actress Grow
January 25th, 2014
January 25th, 2014
Groups for Palestinian rights react to Scarlett's claims that SodaStream is "building a bridge to peace between Israel and Palestine."
How Scarlett Johansson Got in the Business of Whitewashing Israeli War Crimes
January 24th, 2014
January 24th, 2014
Article in AlterNet.
Scarlett Johansson Releases Statement On SodaStream Criticism
January 24th, 2014
January 24th, 2014
Statement published in The Huffington Post.
Scarlett Johansson Criticised Over SodaStream
January 24th, 2014
January 24th, 2014
Coverage in Sky News.
Oxfam’s cowardly stance on Scarlett Johansson’s Israeli settlement profiteering
January 24th, 2014
January 24th, 2014
Coverage in Electronic Intifada.
Why These People Want You to Boycott SodaStream
January 24th, 2014
January 24th, 2014
Article in Gizmodo.
Scarlett Johansson blasted by Oxfam over Israeli campaign deal
January 24th, 2014
January 24th, 2014
Article in The Independent.
Scarlett Johansson's SodaStream controversy
January 23rd, 2014
January 23rd, 2014
Article in SheKnows.
SodaStream stirs up controversy, Scarlett Johansson joins as global brand ambassador
January 23rd, 2014
January 23rd, 2014
Article from TheCelebrityCafe.com Magazine
Scarlett Johansson’s SodaStream Endorsement Deal Conflicts With Charity Work, Aid Group Says
January 23rd, 2014
January 23rd, 2014
Coverage in NYT The Lede
Oxfam Pans Scarlett Johansson for Israeli Deal
January 23rd, 2014
January 23rd, 2014
Coverage from AP.
Oxfam reputation at risk over Johansson-SodaStream controversy
January 23rd, 2014
January 23rd, 2014
Article in Middle East Monitor.
Oxfam tells SodaStream spokesmodel Scarlett Johansson that settlements harm Palestinians
January 23rd, 2014
January 23rd, 2014
Coverage in Electronic Intifada.
Scarlett Johansson Caught in Tizzy Over Fizzy Water in Israel
January 22nd, 2014
January 22nd, 2014
Coverage from TheImproper.
Boycott of Israel’s SodaStream may affect Palestinian workers
January 21st, 2014
January 21st, 2014
Article in Al Arabiya.
Boycotting SodaStream: Righteous protest or empty gesture?
January 21st, 2014
January 21st, 2014
Coverage from CNN Money.
Controversy fizzes up around SodaStream over their use of factories in the West Bank just as Scarlett Johansson signs on to be the company's first global ambassador
January 21st, 2014
January 21st, 2014
Coverage in the Daily Mail.
Scarlett Johansson Sponsorship Throws Spotlight Onto SodaStream
January 21st, 2014
January 21st, 2014
Article in Bustle.
SodaStream accused of using conflict bubbles
January 21st, 2014
January 21st, 2014
Article in The Verge.
SodaStream: Guilt-Free Seltzer or Blood Bubbles?
January 20th, 2014
January 20th, 2014
Article in New York magazine.
The Politics of Celebrity Ambassadors
January 16th, 2014
January 16th, 2014
Article in The New Yorker.
Scarlett Johansson: 'No Guilt' About SodaStream
January 14th, 2014
January 14th, 2014
Elisheva Goldberg in The Jewish Daily Forward writes that the actress should realize that “normalizing” the Israeli occupation is a bad use of her celebrity.
Criticism as Scarlett Johansson becomes new face of SodaStream
January 13th, 2014
January 13th, 2014
Coverage from Al Jazeera America.
Actions
Sign Petition: Don't Be the Face of Occupation!
Urge Scarlett to end her relationship with SodaStream.
Contact Oxfam: Global Ambassador Supporting Occupation?
Contact Oxfam America to urge them to take action and press Scarlett to end her deal with SodaStream or to end its relationship with the actress.
Letters
Scarlett fumbles human rights
January 29th, 2014
January 29th, 2014
Letter from American Muslims for Palestine to Scarlett Johansson.
Letter to Oxfam America: Stand with justice and drop Soda Stream endorser Scarlett Johansson
January 29th, 2014
January 29th, 2014
Letter from American Muslims for Palestine.
Israeli Citizens Calling on Oxfam to Live Up to Its Values
January 29th, 2014
January 29th, 2014
Letter from Boycott from Within
Letters to Scarlett Johansson and Oxfam America on SodaStream
January 28th, 2014
January 28th, 2014
Letters by Jewish Voice for Peace.
Palestinian civil society to Oxfam: “match words with action”, break ties with Scarlett Johansson
January 27th, 2014
January 27th, 2014
Letter from the BNC.
Open Letter to Scarlett Johansson and Oxfam
January 24th, 2014
January 24th, 2014
Letter signed by professors and writers.
CODEPINK: Women for Peace Letter to Oxfam America
January 15th, 2014
January 15th, 2014
US Campaign Letter to Scarlett Johansson
January 14th, 2014
January 14th, 2014
Letter sent to the Hollywood star urging her to end her deal with SodaStream.
US Campaign Letter to Oxfam
January 14th, 2014
January 14th, 2014
Letter sent to Oxfam America urging them to press Johansson to end her deal with SodaStream or to cut ties with the actress.