Tag Archives: Ma’ale Adumim

“They destroyed our lives and then gave a few people a job. It is nothing”: Some unanswered questions for SodaStream

As we have previously reported Corporate Watch was recently denied a requested visit to the SodaStream factory in the illegal West Bank settlement of Mishor Adumim.

Despite the company’s insistence that anyone who visits the premises will find it to be a force for good in the area, it was not willing to let critics challenge this assertion for themselves. In a move that seems to go against its own self proclaimed eco-friendliness  SodaStream recently paid the expenses of local Brighton journalist John Keenan when he flew over from the UK to see the factory, yet they would not let researchers already in the West Bank in. Brighton is the location of EcoStream, SodaStream’s first own brand shop in the UK, and it has been met by weekly boycott demonstrations since its opening in the middle of 2012. As part of its PR strategy, SodaStream has also invited the Brighton MP Mike Weatherley to the factory. Weatherley had already previously issued strong worded statements against the protests and in support of SodaStream.

Soda Club 10

Entrance to the SodaStream factory in the illegal settlement Mishor Adumim.

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Orange: Still making the future bright for Israel’s illegal settlements

Authorised Orange service center in the illegal Israeli settlement of Beitar Illit - photo taken January 2013

Authorised Orange service center in the illegal Israeli settlement of Beitar Illit – photo taken January 2013

Orange has an authorised shop or kiosk, via its franchise, Partner Communications, in many of the larger settlements in both the West Bank and the occupied Golan and advertises very heavily in them. Orange mobile phone masts (operated by Partner Communications) are located both inside the settlements themselves and on land specifically confiscated for the masts. The masts are situated to benefit the settlements and the Israeli army. The Orange brand, owned by France Telecom, is entirely separate from the Partner Communications Company, but this does not mean that it is innocent in the situation. Continue reading

Lee Cooper have moved out of Ma’ale Adumim

Mall in the illegal settlement of Ma'ale Adumim

Mall in the illegal settlement of Ma’ale Adumim

British company Lee Cooper no longer has a branch of its franchise in the shopping mall in the settlement of Ma’ale Adumim.

Corporate Watch visited Ma’ale Adumim on Wednesday 8th January 2013 and can confirm that the shop is no longer operating. Continue reading