NEW YORK, June 18, 2012 (WAFA) – The human rights group, Adalah-NY, called for the boycott of Africa Israel Flagship Company(AI), owned by Israeli billionaire Lev Leviev, for its involvement in building Israeli settlements despite previous denials, a press release by Adalah-NY said Monday.
It released photos of a construction site in the Israeli settlement of Gilo in occupied East Jerusalem that show signs and construction equipment emblazoned with the name Danya Cebus, AI’s construction subsidiary, while there is no information about the Gilo settlement construction on either the AI or Danya Cebus English or Hebrew websites, said the press release.
It pointed out that governments, organizations, investors, and stars had previously distanced themselves from Africa Israel over its settlement construction, causing AI to release a statement in 2010 saying “neither the company nor any of its subsidiaries or other companies controlled by the company are presently involved in or has any plans for future involvement in development, construction or building of real estate in settlements in the West Bank.'
Riham Barghouti from Adalah-NY said campaigns targeting Leviev are part of the growing movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it ends its violations of Palestinian rights.
'Despite a facade of transparency, philanthropy, and glamour, Leviev's companies, including Africa Israel, continue to violate international law by building Israeli settlements and engaging in unethical business practices in Africa,” added Barghouti.
She called on investors like TIAA-CREF, organizations like the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and celebrities like Daphne Guinness to boycott Leviev's companies rather than abetting their human rights abuses.
In addition, Adalah-NY revealed that US pension giant TIAA-CREF, already the target of a campaign calling for divestment from Israeli occupation, has renewed its investments in AI after selling its shares in 2009.
T.R./R.Q./M.S.
