6 nov 2019
Pro-Israeli protestor in front of a BDS demonstration
New initiative pushes to increase familiarity with Jewish state, fight BDS lies and incitement, mobilize pro-Israel activists to combat delegitimization and boycott efforts
The Ministry of Strategic Affairs announced on Wednesday that it will allocate NIS 2 million (roughly USD $273,000) to produce and promote viral videos across social media in an effort to fight against Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement; a Palestinian-led campaign promoting various forms of boycott against Israel.
The funds will be transferred to pro-Israeli advocacy organizations making viral videos with the intent of increasing familiarity with the Jewish state, exposing BDS lies, and mobilizing other pro-Israel activists to combat those who delegitimize and boycott it. video
“This is another important step to assist Israeli advocacy around the world,” Minister for Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan said in a statement. “We will continue to present the just truth about Israel and fight the lies and incitement of BDS organizations.”
The move is part of a greater initiative that has begun last year by the Ministry of Strategic Affairs, to advance NIS 6 million for pro-Israel organizations from all over the world to promote the Jewish state over social networks.
Hebrew media outlet Hakol Kore reported that the videos will be produced in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and several other languages.
New initiative pushes to increase familiarity with Jewish state, fight BDS lies and incitement, mobilize pro-Israel activists to combat delegitimization and boycott efforts
The Ministry of Strategic Affairs announced on Wednesday that it will allocate NIS 2 million (roughly USD $273,000) to produce and promote viral videos across social media in an effort to fight against Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement; a Palestinian-led campaign promoting various forms of boycott against Israel.
The funds will be transferred to pro-Israeli advocacy organizations making viral videos with the intent of increasing familiarity with the Jewish state, exposing BDS lies, and mobilizing other pro-Israel activists to combat those who delegitimize and boycott it. video
“This is another important step to assist Israeli advocacy around the world,” Minister for Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan said in a statement. “We will continue to present the just truth about Israel and fight the lies and incitement of BDS organizations.”
The move is part of a greater initiative that has begun last year by the Ministry of Strategic Affairs, to advance NIS 6 million for pro-Israel organizations from all over the world to promote the Jewish state over social networks.
Hebrew media outlet Hakol Kore reported that the videos will be produced in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and several other languages.
Trade unions GIWUSA and FAWU representing workers at Clover and its subsidiaries, together with their union federation, SAFTU and Palestinian solidarity organisations in South Africa, condemn the recent judgement by the Competition Tribunal of South Africa on the takeover of Clover by Israeli-led company, Milco SA.
As workers and internationalists, we reject the notion that a company that is involved in land theft, human rights abuses, violations of international humanitarian law and supports apartheid practices should be allowed to operate freely and legitimately in South Africa where we are still attempting to addresses the destructive consequences of apartheid on our people.
Our strenuous objection to the buyout of Clover rests on three points:
It is unfortunate that the Competition Tribunal did not fully consider the submission made by trade unions, which explained these objections. In the Tribunal’s final order, many of these points were entirely ignored, especially those dealing with international law violations and the record of abuses by the CBC.
Even though the Tribunal imposed a three-year moratorium during which there should be no job losses, at least 277 jobs will be lost immediately after the three-year period is over. It is unacceptable to us that any worker should face the prospect of losing a job, especially in the context of an employment crisis in South Africa and an unemployment rate of around 40 percent.
In addition, the Tribunal ruled that Clover will be bound to purchase its bulk juice concentrate from local suppliers only for the next three years. Thereafter, Clover will likely import the concentrate, possibly leading to further job losses. We also note that Milco is considering appealing these three-year moratoria, wanting, instead for the moratorium to be for a two-year period, thus hastening the job losses.
CBC, the major partner in Milco, has a record of using strong arm tactics against its competitors and has been found guilty by the Israeli Anti-trust Authority of anti-competitive behaviour in Israel. While we do not support Israeli institutions, even within the parameters of apartheid Israel’s laws the company has been found guilty. We fail to understand how the Tribunal can overlook the company’s anti-competitive practices elsewhere and believe that it will operate ethically in South Africa (see the full submission of the trade unions to the Tribunal below).
CBC’s violations of international law relate to its illegal operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory on occupied land in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights. Some of these operations are based in the settlements that are illegal under international law.
CBC has also contributed to campaigns supporting the Israeli Occupation Forces, which are responsible for numerous abuses, war crimes and crimes against humanity in occupied West Bank and besieged Gaza Strip.
In light of the serious problems associated with the takeover of Clover and with the main company involved in the buyout, we too are considering appealing the Tribunal’s ruling. We also call on the South African government to respect international humanitarian law, and to consider legislating regulations that will prevent the entry of those who support war crimes and apartheid into our economy – especially when such an entry will have negative consequences for workers. If this takeover of Clover goes ahead, we will consider mobilising all our respective constituencies to engage in a mass campaign, led by the trade unions and solidarity organizations, to act against this gross injustice.
We stand in solidarity with the South African working class and people of Palestine in their struggle against apartheid and we support the unconditional boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel globally and in South Africa.
Ends
For more information contact:
General Industrial Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA): John Appolis: 072 226 6889 or Sebei Mametlwe: 081 368 0706
South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU): Zwelinzima Vavi: 079 1824170
Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA): Naazim Adam: 082 336 6711
Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC): Matshidiso Motsoeneng: 072 819 9589
South African Jews for a Free Palestine (SAJFP): Allan Horwitz: 082 512 8188
Submission to the Panel: South African Competition Commission 02 August 2019
In response to the Commission’s ruling on the matter of Milco SA (Pty) Ltd (Milco SA) v Clover Industries Ltd (Clover)
Dated 19 July 2019
1. Introduction
We as interested parties, hereby make a submission to the Competition Commission of South Africa for public interest in the matter of Milco SA (Pty) Ltd (Milco SA) v Clover Industries Ltd (Clover). We call on the Commission to reconsider the approval for the deal of Milco SA acquiring Clover industries. The Commission has noted in its decision that Milco SA is controlled by Milco Mauritius International Beer Breweries Ltd which is a subsidiary of the Israeli-based Central Bottling Company Ltd.
The Central Bottling Company through its wholly owned Central Company for Sales and Distribution has violated international law by operating in illegally occupied Palestinian territories, monopolising the beverages industry in Israel and stifling Palestinian companies. The presence of the company in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is deemed illegal under international law, and regarded as illegal by South Africa.
According to the Human Sciences Research Council, Israel’s occupation of the OPT constitutes apartheid in terms of the Convention against apartheid and is, thus, in total illegal under international law. Furthermore, the company has contributed funds to the Israeli Defence Force which is responsible for the killing of unarmed Palestinians, including children, and war crimes as well as crimes against humanity.
Israeli companies such as Central Bottling Company thus continue to contribute towards Israel’s vast violation of international law and its commission of gross human rights abuses and war crimes.
1.1 The following are some of the details of the illegal settlement activities of the Israeli Central Bottling Company Ltd, and its contribution to the violation of international law:
As interested parties we call on the Commission to consider South Africa’s commitment to values of human rights and respect for international law that has built our Constitution and society. Allowing the Milco Industries to buy out Clover Industries will not only be contrary to the spirit of the South African Constitution but it will also be against the principles that guide South Africa’s foreign policy of abiding by human rights values and respect for international law. The Commission needs to note Central Bottling Company’s participation in the occupation of Palestinian territories as it operates businesses in Occupied Palestinian Territories.
South Africa’s opposition against illegal occupation of Palestinian Territories has been demonstrated through various UN Resolutions and the Commission out to take this into account. Considering the concern that the transaction would lead to job losses overtime, the Commission needs to consider the alarming unemployment rates in South Africa that threaten the already weakening economy and food security and note that this transaction will have adverse effects on the economy.
We therefore, call on the Competition Commission to note the well-being of South Africa’s local dairy industry that has provided jobs to millions of South Africans while also respecting the rule of law and ethical business practice which stands to be threatened by Milco’s buy over of Clover Industries.
As workers and internationalists, we reject the notion that a company that is involved in land theft, human rights abuses, violations of international humanitarian law and supports apartheid practices should be allowed to operate freely and legitimately in South Africa where we are still attempting to addresses the destructive consequences of apartheid on our people.
Our strenuous objection to the buyout of Clover rests on three points:
- As already admitted by Milco and acknowledged by the Tribunal, the takeover will have negative consequences for South African workers who will face job losses in the context of an already-struggling economy;
- Manipulative, unethical and anti-competitive practices by the main component of Milco, the Central Bottling Company (CBC) of Israel, against which there are adverse findings in Israel; and
- CBC’s violation of international law, including UN resolutions and Geneva Conventions and the violation of human rights.
It is unfortunate that the Competition Tribunal did not fully consider the submission made by trade unions, which explained these objections. In the Tribunal’s final order, many of these points were entirely ignored, especially those dealing with international law violations and the record of abuses by the CBC.
Even though the Tribunal imposed a three-year moratorium during which there should be no job losses, at least 277 jobs will be lost immediately after the three-year period is over. It is unacceptable to us that any worker should face the prospect of losing a job, especially in the context of an employment crisis in South Africa and an unemployment rate of around 40 percent.
In addition, the Tribunal ruled that Clover will be bound to purchase its bulk juice concentrate from local suppliers only for the next three years. Thereafter, Clover will likely import the concentrate, possibly leading to further job losses. We also note that Milco is considering appealing these three-year moratoria, wanting, instead for the moratorium to be for a two-year period, thus hastening the job losses.
CBC, the major partner in Milco, has a record of using strong arm tactics against its competitors and has been found guilty by the Israeli Anti-trust Authority of anti-competitive behaviour in Israel. While we do not support Israeli institutions, even within the parameters of apartheid Israel’s laws the company has been found guilty. We fail to understand how the Tribunal can overlook the company’s anti-competitive practices elsewhere and believe that it will operate ethically in South Africa (see the full submission of the trade unions to the Tribunal below).
CBC’s violations of international law relate to its illegal operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory on occupied land in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights. Some of these operations are based in the settlements that are illegal under international law.
CBC has also contributed to campaigns supporting the Israeli Occupation Forces, which are responsible for numerous abuses, war crimes and crimes against humanity in occupied West Bank and besieged Gaza Strip.
In light of the serious problems associated with the takeover of Clover and with the main company involved in the buyout, we too are considering appealing the Tribunal’s ruling. We also call on the South African government to respect international humanitarian law, and to consider legislating regulations that will prevent the entry of those who support war crimes and apartheid into our economy – especially when such an entry will have negative consequences for workers. If this takeover of Clover goes ahead, we will consider mobilising all our respective constituencies to engage in a mass campaign, led by the trade unions and solidarity organizations, to act against this gross injustice.
We stand in solidarity with the South African working class and people of Palestine in their struggle against apartheid and we support the unconditional boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel globally and in South Africa.
Ends
For more information contact:
General Industrial Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA): John Appolis: 072 226 6889 or Sebei Mametlwe: 081 368 0706
South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU): Zwelinzima Vavi: 079 1824170
Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA): Naazim Adam: 082 336 6711
Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC): Matshidiso Motsoeneng: 072 819 9589
South African Jews for a Free Palestine (SAJFP): Allan Horwitz: 082 512 8188
Submission to the Panel: South African Competition Commission 02 August 2019
In response to the Commission’s ruling on the matter of Milco SA (Pty) Ltd (Milco SA) v Clover Industries Ltd (Clover)
Dated 19 July 2019
1. Introduction
We as interested parties, hereby make a submission to the Competition Commission of South Africa for public interest in the matter of Milco SA (Pty) Ltd (Milco SA) v Clover Industries Ltd (Clover). We call on the Commission to reconsider the approval for the deal of Milco SA acquiring Clover industries. The Commission has noted in its decision that Milco SA is controlled by Milco Mauritius International Beer Breweries Ltd which is a subsidiary of the Israeli-based Central Bottling Company Ltd.
The Central Bottling Company through its wholly owned Central Company for Sales and Distribution has violated international law by operating in illegally occupied Palestinian territories, monopolising the beverages industry in Israel and stifling Palestinian companies. The presence of the company in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is deemed illegal under international law, and regarded as illegal by South Africa.
According to the Human Sciences Research Council, Israel’s occupation of the OPT constitutes apartheid in terms of the Convention against apartheid and is, thus, in total illegal under international law. Furthermore, the company has contributed funds to the Israeli Defence Force which is responsible for the killing of unarmed Palestinians, including children, and war crimes as well as crimes against humanity.
Israeli companies such as Central Bottling Company thus continue to contribute towards Israel’s vast violation of international law and its commission of gross human rights abuses and war crimes.
1.1 The following are some of the details of the illegal settlement activities of the Israeli Central Bottling Company Ltd, and its contribution to the violation of international law:
- The Central Bottling company owns a regional distribution centre in the Atarot Settlement industrial zone. The Atarot Settlement is considered illegal under international law as it is built in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, occupied by Israel. Specifically, Atarot is located in the West Bank, which is Palestinian territory.
- The Atarot Settlement is illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 which stipulates that “the occupying power [Israel, in this case] shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into territory it occupies”.
- The Atarot distribution centre has rights to market beverages to the Palestinian population in East Jerusalem, while the Palestinian company, the National Beverages Company, is denied access to East Jerusalem. This results in the CBC having a captive market in East Jerusalem. It must also be noted that East Jerusalem is, according to international law, itself occupied territory, which has been illegally annexed by Israel.
- CBC also owns Tabor Winery, which it acquired in 2006. Tabor has vineyards in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. This, then, is once again a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
- A subsidiary of Milco Industries, Meshek Zuriel Dairy, owns a dairy farm and an office in the settlement of Shadmot Mehola in the Jordan Valley. Once again, this is a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and a violation of international law.
- South Africa’s unemployment in the second quarter of 2019 rose from 27 to 29 percent, while youth unemployment was around 55 percent in the first quarter. With this reality, the Commission’s recommendation that the merger take precautions about retrenchments for a certain period is not sufficient. The Commission’s reports recommends that ‘(a) not to retrench any employees for a certain period, (b) to create a certain number of new permanent employment positions within a certain period post-merger, (c) to set up a Reskilling Fund to the tune of R10million, and (d) to give preference in respect of new vacancies to any employees that may lose their jobs post-merger; amongst others’.
- Any retrenchments in South Africa today will increase the immense hardship faced by the working class, which is already burdened by a faltering economy, and the effects of state capture. If Milco is allowed to acquire Clover and, subsequently, retrench a portion of its workforce, this will have negative implications for the attempt to alleviate poverty in South Africa, and will negatively affect the country’s economy.
- Allowing this deal to proceed, then, will allow a foreign company to further negatively affect the South African economy and its economic growth.
- In 2017, the CBC was fined $17 million in an anti-trust matter for abusing Coke’s market monopoly to oust rival products by the Israeli Anti-trust Authority (a body similar to South Africa’s Competition Commission).
- CBC was found to have used the market power of Coke to force restaurants and food retailers to sell its full line of products to give a boost to ones that faced tougher competition than Coca-cola. This CBC did by forcing its employees to threaten customers towards exclusive preference of its products. Furthermore, the company offered retailers incentives such as free refrigerators on condition that they purchased all CBC products and stopped carrying similar products of itscompetitors.
- In 2011, CBC was ordered to pay a sum of $660 000 (USD) or 2 million NIS as part of a settlement of a class action suit after the company distributed beverages that contained foreign substances that caused soft drinks to have a bad smell. The beverages were deemed unfit for human consumption, leading an Israeli court to find that the company had failed to disclose the information to its consumers.
As interested parties we call on the Commission to consider South Africa’s commitment to values of human rights and respect for international law that has built our Constitution and society. Allowing the Milco Industries to buy out Clover Industries will not only be contrary to the spirit of the South African Constitution but it will also be against the principles that guide South Africa’s foreign policy of abiding by human rights values and respect for international law. The Commission needs to note Central Bottling Company’s participation in the occupation of Palestinian territories as it operates businesses in Occupied Palestinian Territories.
South Africa’s opposition against illegal occupation of Palestinian Territories has been demonstrated through various UN Resolutions and the Commission out to take this into account. Considering the concern that the transaction would lead to job losses overtime, the Commission needs to consider the alarming unemployment rates in South Africa that threaten the already weakening economy and food security and note that this transaction will have adverse effects on the economy.
We therefore, call on the Competition Commission to note the well-being of South Africa’s local dairy industry that has provided jobs to millions of South Africans while also respecting the rule of law and ethical business practice which stands to be threatened by Milco’s buy over of Clover Industries.
The Israeli high court of justice on Tuesday approved the government’s decision to deport the local director of Human Rights Watch (HRW) for allegedly supporting a boycott movement known as BDS.
Omar Shaker, a US citizen, was given 20 days to leave Israel and the Palestinian territories or he would face deportation, his lawyer said.
Shaker wrote on Twitter that if he was banished, Israel would join the ranks of Iran, North Korea and Egypt in blocking access to Human Rights Watch staff. “We won’t stop. And we won’t be the last,” he said.
HRW called the Israeli government’s attempts to deport Shaker, which have been going on for more than a year, a sign that Israel was seeking to suppress criticism.
“The supreme court has effectively declared that free expression in Israel does not include completely mainstream advocacy for Palestinian rights,” said Kenneth Roth, the group’s executive director.
Shaker will be removed under a contentious 2017 law that allows the government to block entry to people who support a boycott of Israel or Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The measure was designed to criminalize the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement. Rights groups say it tramples on free speech as the law has been deployed against critics and activists.
In its most high-profile use, Israel blocked in August two US congresswomen, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, from a planned trip to Palestine and Jerusalem.
Omar Shaker, a US citizen, was given 20 days to leave Israel and the Palestinian territories or he would face deportation, his lawyer said.
Shaker wrote on Twitter that if he was banished, Israel would join the ranks of Iran, North Korea and Egypt in blocking access to Human Rights Watch staff. “We won’t stop. And we won’t be the last,” he said.
HRW called the Israeli government’s attempts to deport Shaker, which have been going on for more than a year, a sign that Israel was seeking to suppress criticism.
“The supreme court has effectively declared that free expression in Israel does not include completely mainstream advocacy for Palestinian rights,” said Kenneth Roth, the group’s executive director.
Shaker will be removed under a contentious 2017 law that allows the government to block entry to people who support a boycott of Israel or Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The measure was designed to criminalize the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement. Rights groups say it tramples on free speech as the law has been deployed against critics and activists.
In its most high-profile use, Israel blocked in August two US congresswomen, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, from a planned trip to Palestine and Jerusalem.
Member of Hamas’s political bureau Mohamed Nazzal has strongly denounced Twitter and Facebook for blocking Palestinian pages in response to Israel’s diktats.
In press remarks to Quds Press on Tuesday, Nazzal said that Twitter recently blocked his page and dozens of pages belonging to Palestinian national figures because of their positions in support of the Palestinian resistance.
He added that a similar practice was already taken by the Facebook administration, deploring what he described as social media moguls for being tools utilized by Israel.
He also slammed the social media companies for flouting the freedom of opinion and being biased against the vulnerable people in Palestine.
The Hamas official urged all Palestinian, Arab and Islamic personages and institutions to boycott Facebook and Twitter in protest at the blocking of Palestinian pages.
In compliance with agreements with the Israeli government, the administrations of Facebook and Twitter have systematically blocked pages of Palestinian media outlets, national figures and activists, and removed postings that showed support for the Palestinian people and exposed Israel’s crimes and violations.
In press remarks to Quds Press on Tuesday, Nazzal said that Twitter recently blocked his page and dozens of pages belonging to Palestinian national figures because of their positions in support of the Palestinian resistance.
He added that a similar practice was already taken by the Facebook administration, deploring what he described as social media moguls for being tools utilized by Israel.
He also slammed the social media companies for flouting the freedom of opinion and being biased against the vulnerable people in Palestine.
The Hamas official urged all Palestinian, Arab and Islamic personages and institutions to boycott Facebook and Twitter in protest at the blocking of Palestinian pages.
In compliance with agreements with the Israeli government, the administrations of Facebook and Twitter have systematically blocked pages of Palestinian media outlets, national figures and activists, and removed postings that showed support for the Palestinian people and exposed Israel’s crimes and violations.
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