Al-Qalam 
COSATU has learned with excitement the news that the South African investment company, Brimstone, has taken a progressive decision to review its decision into being party to an Israeli buyout of South African dairy company, Clover. The deal to take over Clover is led by Israel’s Central Bottling Company (CBC).
CBC’s operations in Israeli settlements not only violate international law but also sustain Israel’s ongoing and cruel occupation of Palestine.
Through its funding to extremist fascist groups and its relations to the Israeli military, CBC is arguably a direct participant in the oppression of Palestinians.
An Israeli buyout of Clover would mean that profits from South Africa would be going towards the oppression of other people.
COSATU will continue to support the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people and global justice more broadly, particularly the BDS campaign and other measures including consumer boycotts, in support of global peace and justice.
As Archbishop Desmond Tutu put it: “The withdrawal of trade with South Africa by multinational corporations with a conscience in the 1980s was ultimately one of the key levers that brought the apartheid state – bloodlessly – to its knees. Those corporations understood that by contributing to South Africa’s economy, they were contributing to the retention of an unjust status quo”.
Those who continue to do business with Israel, who contributes to a sense of “normalcy” in Israeli society, are doing the people of Israel and Palestine a disservice. They are contributing to the perpetuation of a profoundly unjust status quo.
Those who contribute to Israel’s temporary isolation are saying that Israelis and Palestinians are equally entitled to dignity and peace.
We hope to see more South African businesses following suit in exposing apartheid Israel and not involving themselves with those who practice such an atrocious crime.
Sizwe Pamla
COSATU – National Spokesperson
