Scarlett Johannson is well-known for her flawless beauty and killer movie roles, but the actress also has quite the political head on her as well. Johannson recently has taken a stance against a political movement known as BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions). According to the official BDS website, “BDS is a strategy that allows people of conscience to play an effective role in the Palestinian struggle for justice.” Of course many people view BDS as an anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic propaganda machine.
So, you are probably wondering how Scarlett Johannson got caught up in the middle of complicated Palestinian politics. The actress recently accepted a paid endorsement deal from Soda Stream, a company that sells machines that help consumers make their own soda in the comfort of their own homes. Johansson’s Soda Stream ad campaign was is to be launched during the Super Bowl in a high-profile commercial. It turns out Soda Stream machines are actually manufactured in West Bank town of Ma’aleh Adumim, and the Soda Stream Company is made up of 900 Palestinians and Israelis working together as one labor force.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Palestinian politics, Palestinians and Israelis working together under one roof is a great accomplishment, and a step towards peace in Palestine. However the BDS is not supporting Soda Stream’s mixed labor force, and they are actually outright boycotting the company, and requesting that Scarlett Johannson refrain from endorsing them.
Scarlett Johansson is not intimidated by the BDS though, and released a public statement against the political activists. In her statement Johansson stated, “I remain a supporter of economic cooperation and social interaction between a democratic Israel and Palestine. SodaStream is a company that is not only committed to the environment but to building a bridge to peace between Israel and Palestine, supporting neighbors working alongside each other, receiving equal pay, equal benefits and equal rights.”
Scarlett is a high-profile celebrity, and she is taking a stance against a well-known political group that seems to be against peace in Palestine. She is jeopardizing her career by taking on the BDS, and opening herself up to a lot of negative publicity, do you think she is doing the right thing?