CODEPINK asks Kristin Davis to stop representing Ahava and notes what Oxfam says about deceptive packaging: "Consumers that are buying produce that are grown in illegal settlements need to have that information so that they can make an informed choice."
July 15, 2009
Dear Kristin,
We are writing to ask you to please take a deep look at the beauty company,
Ahava, that you represent and resign your position as a spokeswoman for
Ahava products.
We know how much you care about the environment and animals, and applaud
your great work as an Oxfam Goodwill ambassador. That's why we were so
shocked when we discovered that you were the spokeswoman for the Ahava
Dead Sea Laboratories, an Israeli company that makes its products in the
illegal settlement of Mitzpe Shalem, located in the Occupied Territory
of the Palestinian West Bank, and uses stolen Palestinian natural resources.
We recently sent a human rights fact-finding delegation to Israel, and
this delegation confirmed that indeed Ahava goods, while bearing labels
saying that Israel is their country of origin, are being produced in violation
of international laws that prohibit an occupying country, Israel, from
taking the resources of the occupied territory, Palestine. Additionally,
Ahava profits are going to support Israeli settlements that are illegal
under international law. This is why our women's peace group, CODEPINK,
is launching a campaign to encourage people to boycott Ahava products.
(See http://www.stolenbeauty.org).
By hiring you as their spokeswoman, Ahava wants to use your pretty face
and your image of purity and wholesomeness to hide its crimes.
Here's what Oxfam itself has to say about Ahava's deceptive packaging:
"The settlements on the West Bank are illegal under international
humanitarian law and that creates a lot of problems for the Palestinians
that live there."
"Consumers that are buying produce that are grown in illegal settlements
need to have that information so that they can make an informed choice."
Ahava means love in Hebrew, but there is nothing loving about profiting
from an illegal occupation. Kristin, don't let Ahava use you to cover
up their crimes. Please reconsider your association with Ahava and resign.
If not, we will urge our friends at Oxfam to ask you to step down and
we will bring our Stolen Beauty campaign to your pubic appearances.
We hope you will join the growing movement---that includes former President
Carter, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch-working for peace
and justice in the Middle East.
Sincerely,
CODEPINK Women for Peace
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