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South African agricultural company cuts ties to Hadiklaim

January 31, 2013
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Karsten Farms, a leading South African agricultural company backed by one of South Africa's primary finance bodies, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), has severed its relations with the Israeli cooperative, Hadiklaim, and has also undertaken not to enter into any future relations with any Israeli entity complicit in the illegal Israeli Occupation of Palestine. South African human rights organizations, lead by the Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA) and BDS South Africa,

Karsten Farms, a leading South African agricultural company backed by one of South Africa's primary finance bodies, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), has severed its relations with the Israeli cooperative, Hadiklaim, and has also undertaken not to enter into any future relations with any Israeli entity complicit in the illegal Israeli Occupation of Palestine.

South African human rights organizations, lead by the Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA) and BDS South Africa, launched a consumer campaign against Karsten Farms due to its trade relations (in violation of the boycott of Israel) with Israel's Hadiklaim - an Israeli company operating, against international law, in the illegal Israeli settlements.

This week, after almost 3 years of campaigning, in a letter to BDS South Africa via their lawyers, Werksmans Attorneys, Karsten Farms undertook: "Not to enter into any trade relations with Hadiklaim for the current harvest year of 2013 and not have any business relations with them [Hadiklaim] in the future." In addition, and in a precedent-setting move, Karsten Farms also undertook: "Not to enter into any trade relations with any Israeli company and/or entity within the occupied/illegal settlement areas of Israel".

Siphiwe Thusi of the Palestine Solidarity Alliance welcomed the news: "This is the first time that a South African company has taken the legally as well as ethically correct decision not to trade with Israeli companies complicit in the illegal Israeli Occupation of Palestine. Karsten Farms has indeed set a precedent for other South African businesses and companies to follow. This is a breakthrough not only for the boycott of Israel but also for ethical and good business practice." Thusi added that "the call for the consumer boycott of Karstens products has now been called off by virtue of their legal undertakings" however he also cautioned that "the Palestine Solidarity Alliance and BDS South Africa will be monitoring the situation and if any new Israeli relations, even if via third parties, were to be formed, the boycott campaign against Karsten Farms would be re-launched, and intensified."

Find the full statement here: http://tinyurl.com/avlzt7n

 

January 31, 2013
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