Summary

The Strauss Group, a leading Israeli food and beverage company, is implicated in the Palestinian cause. Operating globally, it’s accused of supporting Israel’s policies in occupied territories, notably through its Sderot production site. The company has publicly backed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), contributing to the Golani Brigade. This support, once openly declared on their website, was modified following boycott threats. The company’s ethos is steeped in Zionism. These actions have ignited calls for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) against the Israeli regime, a nonviolent movement championing the Palestinian struggle for freedom and equality. The Strauss Group’s actions have sparked global outrage against Israel’s ongoing apartheid system and routine attacks on Palestinian rights. The Strauss Group owns many companies, partly or wholly. Don’t want to read the whole article? Click here to know the list.

Boycott rating:

★★★★★

The Complicity of the Strauss Group in the Palestinian Cause: A Deeper Look

The Strauss Group, one of Israel’s largest food and beverage companies, has been at the centre of controversy due to its alleged complicity in the Palestinian cause. This article aims to shed light on the various aspects of this issue, including the company’s global presence, its financial standing, its alleged involvement in occupied territories, and its support for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Global Presence and Products

The Strauss Group has a significant global footprint, with operations in over 20 countries across five continents. The company’s portfolio includes a wide range of top-quality food and beverage brands in its 11 fields of activity. Some of its well-known brands include Tapuchips, Yotvata, Strauss Coffee, Danone, Milky, Parra Chocolate, Strauss Water, Elite, Três Corações, Sabra, and many more.

Financial Standing

In terms of financial performance, the Strauss Group reported a revenue growth of 6.5% in 2022, amounting to NIS 9.5 billion. However, the company also experienced a decline in gross profit by 12.3%, amounting to NIS 2.8 billion. The Strauss Group employs approximately 17,400 people worldwide.

Alleged Involvement in Occupied Territories

The Strauss Group has faced allegations of being involved in occupied territories. The company’s production site in Sderot, situated in territories occupied by Israel since 1967, has been a focal point of these allegations. The economic support provided by PepsiCo and Strauss Group to the region indirectly perpetuates Israel’s policies in the occupied territories, contributing to the ongoing conflict.

Support for the IDF

The Strauss Group has publicly expressed its support for the IDF. The company had a banner on its website expressing support for the IDF, which was later removed following pressure and boycott threats in the US. However, the banner was returned with altered text, stating that the Sales Division of Strauss Israel had made a contribution to the Golani Brigade.

Ethos and Zionism

The Strauss Group’s ethos is deeply rooted in Zionism. The company was born out of a Zionist vision and love for the country. However, it’s important to note that Zionism itself is a complex and multifaceted ideology, with various interpretations and manifestations. The company’s Zionism is secular and critical of religious orthodoxy, cultural Zionism, and liberal humanitarianism.

Conclusion

The Strauss Group’s alleged complicity in the Palestinian cause raises important questions about corporate responsibility and the ethical implications of business practices. As consumers, it’s crucial to be aware of these issues and make informed decisions. Boycott movements, such as the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement, play a significant role in bringing these issues to light and advocating for change. Ultimately, the resolution of these complex issues requires dialogue, understanding, and a commitment to justice and human rights.

Additional Information

Outrage against Israel’s ongoing apartheid system and routine attacks on Palestinian rights and lives is mounting worldwide, setting the stage for a new burst of energy in the global movement for boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against the Israeli regime — a nonviolent movement in support of the Palestinian struggle for freedom and equality.

The Strauss Group materially supports and sends care packages to the Golani Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces, a fact that was once stated on the company’s website but has since been removed due to pressure from pro-Palestine groups.

On March 3rd, 2018, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) launched a petition to end the sale of Sabra products on campus. Within days of launching, over five hundred students and other community members had signed.

Strauss Group Brands

The Strauss Group, one of Israel’s largest food and beverage companies, offers a broad variety of top-quality food and beverage brands in its 11 fields of activity. Here are some of the brands that they own, either partly or wholly:

Tapuchips: A popular snack brand.
Yotvata: Known for its dairy products.
Strauss Coffee: A global coffee brand.
Danone: A multinational food-products corporation.
Milky: Famous for its chocolate pudding with whipped cream.
Parra Chocolate: A classic chocolate brand.
Strauss Water: Provides water purifiers and water bars.
Elite: Offers chocolates and confectioneries.
Três Corações: A joint venture in Brazil by Strauss Coffee and São Miguel.
Sabra: A joint venture between PepsiCo and Strauss Group, known for its hummus and dips.
Pimpinela, Fino Grão, Leticia, Kimimo, Frisco, Tornado: These are brands in Brazil, as part of a joint venture between Strauss Coffee B.V. & São Miguel.
Chernaya Karta, Ambassador, Totti Café, Fort, Elite Health: These are Strauss Coffee B.V. brands in Russia and Ukraine.
Doncafé, JAVA, C Kafa: These are Strauss Coffee B.V. brands in Serbia.
MK Café, Pedro’s: These are Strauss Coffee B.V. brands in Poland.
Culligan Water, and Haier Strauss Water: These are water companies.
Pesek Zman, Baflot, Doritos, Activia, Mekupelet, Yad Mordechai, Gamadim, and Bazooka: These are various food and beverage brands.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and the ownership of these brands can change over time due to various business decisions.

References

(1) Outrage Over Israel’s Human Rights Violations Is Fueling the Global BDS …. https://truthout.org/articles/global-outrage-over-israels-human-rights-abuses-is-fueling-the-bds-movement/.
(2) What is the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement?. https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/ethicalcampaigns/boycotts/bds-israel-boycott.
(3) Strauss Group Ltd – Palestine Solidarity Campaign. https://www.palestinecampaign.org/psc-company/strauss-group-ltd/.
(4) More than hummus: renewing the call to boycott Sabra. https://swarthmorephoenix.com/2018/03/29/more-than-hummus-renewing-the-call-to-boycott-sabra/.
(5) What is the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement?. https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/ethicalcampaigns/boycotts/bds-israel-boycott.
(6) Strauss Group Ltd – Palestine Solidarity Campaign. https://www.palestinecampaign.org/psc-company/strauss-group-ltd/.
(7) More than hummus: renewing the call to boycott Sabra. https://swarthmorephoenix.com/2018/03/29/more-than-hummus-renewing-the-call-to-boycott-sabra/.
(8) UN independent experts ‘unequivocally condemn’ violence against …. https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/10/1142572.
(9) Israel’s Human Rights Violations Fueling Global BDS Movement. https://www.laprogressive.com/the-middle-east/global-bds-movement.
(10) Palestine Solidarity Campaign. https://www.palestinecampaign.org/.
(11) Companies Archive – Palestine Solidarity Campaign. https://www.palestinecampaign.org/psc-company/.
(12) Palestine Solidarity Campaign – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestine_Solidarity_Campaign.

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