LOS ANGELES (AP) — Scarlett Johansson is ending her relationship with
a humanitarian group after being criticized over her support for an
Israeli company that operates in the West Bank.
A statement released by Johansson's spokesman Wednesday said the
29-year-old actress has "a fundamental difference of opinion" with Oxfam
International because the humanitarian group opposes all trade from
Israeli settlements, saying they are illegal and deny Palestinian
rights.
"Scarlett Johansson has respectfully decided to end her ambassador
role with Oxfam after eight years," the statement said. "She and Oxfam
have a fundamental difference of opinion in regards to the boycott,
divestment and sanctions movement. She is very proud of her
accomplishments and fundraising efforts during her tenure with Oxfam."
Earlier this month, "The Avengers" and "Her" actress signed on as the
first global brand ambassador of SodaStream International Ltd., and
she's set to appear in an ad for the at-home soda maker during the Super
Bowl on Feb. 2.
SodaStream has come under fire from pro-Palestinian activists for
maintaining a large factory in an Israeli settlement in the West Bank, a
territory captured by Israel in 1967 and claimed by the Palestinians.
In response to the criticism, Johansson said last week she was a
"supporter of economic cooperation and social interaction between a
democratic Israel and Palestine."
Oxfam took issue with Johansson, noting it was "considering the
implications of her new statement and what it means for Ms. Johansson's
role as an Oxfam global ambassador."
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