Summary
Moroccanoil is a popular brand of hair care products that claim to use natural ingredients and sustainable practices. However, behind the glossy marketing and celebrity endorsements, there is a dark reality that many consumers are unaware of. Moroccanoil is an Israeli company that supports the illegal occupation and oppression of Palestinians, and profits from the exploitation of their land and resources.
In this article, the truth about Moroccanoil’s complicity in Israel’s violations of human rights and international law will be exposed, and why you should join the global boycott movement against this unethical brand.
Moroccanoil’s Ties to Israel
Moroccanoil was founded in 2006 by Carmen Tal, an Israeli-Canadian entrepreneur who discovered the benefits of argan oil while visiting Israel. She partnered with another Israeli businessman, Ofer Polak, to create a line of products based on argan oil, which is extracted from the nuts of the argan tree, native to Morocco.
However, Moroccanoil does not source its argan oil from Morocco, but from Israel, where it operates a factory in the Negev desert. The Negev is home to over 200,000 Bedouin Palestinians, who have been subjected to decades of displacement, discrimination and dispossession by the Israeli state. According to Human Rights Watch, Israel has systematically denied the Bedouins their rights to land, water, education, health care and basic services, and has demolished thousands of their homes and villages.
Moroccanoil’s factory is located in a so-called “industrial zone” that was built on confiscated Bedouin land, without their consent or compensation. These zones are part of Israel’s plan to forcibly relocate the Bedouins into urban townships, where they face poverty, unemployment and social marginalization. By operating in these zones, Moroccanoil is directly benefiting from Israel’s illegal land grab and ethnic cleansing of the Bedouin.
Moreover, Moroccanoil’s factory is powered by solar energy, which may seem environmentally friendly but is actually another way of exploiting Bedouin’s resources. Israel has installed hundreds of solar panels on Bedouin land, without their permission or participation, and uses the electricity to power its own settlements and industries, while depriving the Bedouin of access to clean energy.
Moroccanoil also supports Israel’s occupation and colonization of Palestinian territories in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, where it sells its products in illegal Israeli settlements. These settlements are built on stolen Palestinian land, in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and numerous UN resolutions. They are also a major obstacle to peace and justice in the region, as they fragment the Palestinian territory and prevent the establishment of a viable Palestinian state.
By doing business in these settlements, Moroccanoil is not only violating international law but also endorsing Israel’s apartheid regime, which discriminates against Palestinians based on their ethnicity and religion. Palestinians living under occupation face daily violence, harassment and humiliation from Israeli soldiers and settlers, who restrict their movement, confiscate their property, destroy their crops and homes, and deny them their basic rights and dignity.
The Boycott Movement Against Moroccanoil
In response to Israel’s ongoing oppression of Palestinians, a global movement of civil society organizations, trade unions, faith groups, academic institutions, artists and celebrities has emerged to boycott Israeli products and companies that are complicit in Israel’s crimes. This movement is inspired by the successful boycott campaign against apartheid South Africa in the 1980s and follows the call of Palestinian civil society for boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it complies with international law and respects Palestinian rights.
Moroccanoil is one of the targets of this boycott movement, as it represents a clear example of how Israel exploits and profiteers from Palestinian suffering. Many consumers around the world have decided to stop buying Moroccanoil products and to switch to alternative brands that are ethical and cruelty-free. Some celebrities who used to endorse Moroccanoil have also withdrawn their support after learning about its ties to Israel. For instance, singer Lorde cancelled her contract with Moroccanoil after receiving a letter from two fans who explained how Moroccanoil supports Israel’s occupation.
The boycott movement against Moroccanoil is not only a moral duty but also an effective way of putting pressure on Israel to change its policies and behaviour towards Palestinians. By refusing to buy Moroccanoil products, you are sending a clear message to Israel that you do not accept its violations of human rights and international law, and that you stand in solidarity with Palestinians who are struggling for freedom and justice. You are also supporting the growing global movement for peace and equality for Palestinians.
How You Can Join the Boycott
If you want to join the boycott movement against Moroccanoil, here are some simple steps you can take:
- Stop buying Moroccanoil products and look for alternative brands that are ethical and cruelty-free.
- Spread the word and raise awareness about the boycott campaign on social media, using the hashtags #BoycottMoroccanoil and #BDS. Scroll down and share this via various social media platforms.
By joining the boycott movement against Moroccanoil, you are making a difference in the struggle for justice and peace in Palestine. Together, we can end Israel’s impunity and hold it accountable for its crimes. Together, we can make Moroccanoil pay for its complicity in Israel’s oppression of Palestinians.