MAS Outreach, CIOGC endorse Interfaith Boycott Coalition's SodaStream Boycott

Interfaith Boycott Committee featured in Foreign Policy magazine article

The American Muslims for Palestine, a vital partner in the Interfaith Boycott Coalition, is excited to announce that the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) has endorsed the coalition’s call to boycott SodaStream, the carbonated beverage maker. The CIOGC’s endorsement comes shortly after MAS Outreach endorsed the effort.

"Inasmuch as Sodastream products are produced on an illegal settlement in the West Bank, Mishor Adumim, the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) believes that the Interfaith Coalition Boycott of Sodastream is a means by which the public can morally object to injustice. The boycott is a further measure by which people of moral conscience can raise awareness to the illegal Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories. The CIOGC recommends its membership to support the Interfaith Coalition Boycott of Sodastream this Super Bowl Sunday."

~ CIOGC

“While MAS has always stood for justice and will continue to do so, as MAS Outreach Chicago Director and MAS PACE (public affairs and civic engagement) Interfaith Coordinator, I strive to place people of faith into responsible action. It is my commitment and recommendation to our membership to stand with the many other faith communities to boycott Sodastream on Super Bowl Sunday as it continues to profit while ignoring the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and operates in an illegal settlement in the West Bank.”

~ Karen Danielson, MAS Outreach

SodaStream is made in an Israeli, Jewish-only settlement on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank. Companies that profit from producing merchandise in settlements help to support and maintain Israel’s occupation of Palestine, which contravenes international law and continues to deprive Palestinians of their basic human rights.

Controversy has been swirling around SodaStream most recently since CBS rejected the commercial it was air during the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl for bashing soda giants Coca Cola and Pepsi. The boycott also has created its own controversy as it has been mentioned on MSNBC, while Foreign Policy magazine wrote about the interfaith coalition’s boycott effort and linked to its website. 

The Interfaith Boycott Coalition is asking consumers to not buy SodaStream and to sign a petition asking stores to not sell the product. You can find other ways to participate in this nationwide effort here. 

AMP is grateful to receive the endorsements for our esteemed Muslim organizations as working for justice with partners from other faith traditions is what interfaith cooperation is all about. Please sign the petition. Learn more about the Interfaith Boycott Coalition, SodaStream and consumer boycotts at www.sodastreamboycott.org.