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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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21st December 2001

PRESS RELEASE

Selfridges Respond to Human Rights Campaigning
Selfridges withdraw products made by illegal settlers

Selfridges today withdrew the sale of four products Achva Halva, Ahava toiletries, Beigal and Beigal pretzels and Yarden wines all made in the West Bank or Golan Heights regions. In a public statement it was announced that,

“Selfridges has taken the decision to withdraw the four products during the Christmas season in order to minimise disruption to our customers caused by leafleting and picketing outside our store. This decision will be reviewed in the New Year as part of our normal product review process.”

The decision came after weeks of picketing and leafleting outside the Oxford Street store by campaigners from the Islamic Human Rights Commission and Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

A joint statement given by the Islamic Human Rights Commission’s Massoud Shadjareh and Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s Diane Langford said,

“We welcome Selfridges’ decision and hope the decision is not a temporary one. Trading in these products is not only morally unacceptable due to the fact they are produced by illegal settlers in Occupied Palestine, but legally unlawful as they are being labelled and sold as Israeli goods, therefore receiving special tax concessions.

“Those who promote these products are financially strengthening and supporting illegal settlements. We have called off the planned picket for tomorrow, but will continue to monitor Selfridges and other stores, as we believe these types of products should not be sold in any high street store.”

For more information please contact:

IHRC Press Office: Tel No. (+44)020 8902 0888 Fax No. (+44)0208902 0889

PSC Press Office: Tel No: (+44)020 7435 5467