Canadian multiculturalism minister Jason Kenney buys SodaStream unit in jab at Oxfam
Al-Akhbar | February 4, 2014
The employment minister of Canada, a strong supporter of Israel, has waded into the spat over Oxfam breaking with US actress Scarlett Johansson for endorsing an Israeli soft drink firm that operates in the occupied West Bank.
Minister Jason Kenney, who is also minister of multiculturalism in Canada, extended an ironic thank you to Oxfam for bringing the Israeli firm SodaStream to his attention.
Last week Johansson made headlines when she quit her role as Oxfam ambassador after the NGO said her promotion of SodaStream was “incompatible” with her role at the international aid agency.
SodaStream, which manufactures machines for making carbonated drinks at home, has 25 factories around the world, including one that operates in a settlement east of Jerusalem.
“Bought a nice SodaStream unit at the HudsonsBayCo. Thanks to Oxfam for the tip,” the minister said in a tweet.
The minister’s message also featured a photo of a SodaStream beverage machine with its brand name clearly visible.
It also bore the letters “BDSfail” in reference to the campaign calling for “boycott, divestment, sanctions” of Israeli products and goods.
Oxfam calls for a boycott of any Israeli firm operating in settlements in the occupied West Bank, which are illegal under international law.
Canada is a strong backer of Israel, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited Israel late last month.
(AFP, Al-Akhbar)

2 Comments
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
The entire PC Party of Canada are a despicable group of individuals and if Kenney used taxpayer money to buy this product that produces nothing but blood bubbles, he should be dragged in front of the ethics committee and investigated for criminal activity.
Jason Kenney should have this act of aggression against a long standing humanitarian organization like Oxfam spotlighted to his constituents so they can also see how vile a character he really is. I’ve said in another post that his parents should be hanging their heads in shame for the kind of person they brought up. Without compassion. Without understanding. A dullard in the true sense of the word.
I call for others to convey their outrage at this taunt of Oxfam.
Boycott the Hudsons Bay Company that sold him this device.
I am.
Sysaphus
LikeLike
Note: The blood bubbles notation is not mine. It was noted in another article I had read. I want to give credit where credit is due, but I can’t find the article where SodaStream was defined as the producer of blood bubbles.
To the person who did, in fact, describe the end result of the SodaStream unit as blood bubbles, I congratulate you on your economy of words to describe this company and it’s effect on the dignity of Palestinians in two simple words.
Bravo.
Sysaphus.
LikeLike