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July 30, 2009
Dear
Supporter,
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Dear Friends,
 There is a Jewish teaching: "Thou shall not derive personal pleasure or benefit from any product created through exploitation." AHAVA, an Israeli cosmetics company, is violating the basic principles of international law and Jewish ethics by profiting from the occupation of Palestine. Using resources from the ancient waters of the Dead Sea, AHAVA manufactures beauty products in an illegal Israeli settlement in Occupied Palestine.
AHAVA means love in Hebrew. But there's nothing loving about profiting from occupation. There's nothing loving about stealing resources from our neighbors.
As one of the first practicing women rabbis, as a Jew and as concerned human being, I endorse CODEPINK's new campaign to boycott AHAVA.
For over 40 years, I have been working to promote justice and reconciliation in the Middle East. I have watched more settlements, walls and checkpoints being built, and more Palestinians arrested and ground down by poverty, hunger, illness and oppression. After decades of working for peace through dialogue, I've come to believe that it's time to apply new tactics. It's time for us to listen to the Israeli and Palestinian peace activists who are calling on us to boycott Israeli products made in Occupied Palestine. It's time to take the profit out of the occupation.
Join me in boycotting AHAVA. Pass this message to your friends and neighbors: The fruits of occupation are simply not kosher!
Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb
Cofounder, Shomer Shalom Network for Jewish Nonviolence
Member of CODEPINK
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Today, CODEPINK is launching our STOLEN BEAUTY campaign to protest and boycott AHAVA.
 Won't you join our boycott?
Bikini-clad CODEPINK activists smeared with mud have already rallied in Tel Aviv, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, France , and just yesterday in DC to expose the dirty secrets of AHAVA. You don't have to don a bikini to take part in our boycott, however. Educate yourself about AHAVA's illegal practices at www.stolenbeauty.org , and add your name to our boycott. Sign up to join the team and receive updates about this campaign, and use your voice to help AHAVA come clean. Or visit a store selling AHAVA in your community, following our 10-step action guide.
AHAVA violates international law by labeling their products of "Israeli origin" even though their products are produced in the Occupied West Bank, and they violate the Fourth Geneva Convention by exploiting occupied natural resources for profit. AHAVA tries to put a pretty face on their company, touting their products' purity and even hiring Oxfam Ambassador and 'Sex and the City' star Kristin Davis as their spokesperson. It's up to us to bring their illegal practices to light.
Thank you for helping to bring the ugly truths of this beauty company to light and showing your support for international law and human rights.
Getting Muddy for Justice,
Blaine, Dana, Desiree, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Janet, Jean, Jodie, Medea, Nancy K, Nancy M, Paris, and Rae
P.S. We have six spaces left for the trip to Gaza on September 16-23. Every trip has been an extraordinary experience. For more information and to sign up, click here
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