Welcome to the Forward’s coverage of the West Bank, a Palestinian territory occupied by Israel and a focus of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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The Latest
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Israel News SodaStream Controversy Fueled by Lies and Distortions — and Israel’s Occupation
To some people, it’s a storm in a soda cup. But to others, SodaStream’s most ambitious advertising campaign ever, starring Scarlett Johansson, is a potent symbol of all that is bad about Israel’s occupation of the West Bank. The ad campaign, to be kicked off during the broadcast of the Super Bowl, on February 2,…
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Life ScarJo’s Other SodaStream Problem: The Sexist Ad
No matter where you stand on Israeli politics, it’s hard not to see Scarlett Johansson’s decision to become a spokesperson for SodaStream as a bold choice. Unfortunately, this boldness didn’t make its way into the commercial itself. Instead, the ad relies on the most cliche, ickily retro advertising tropes imaginable. If you are reading this…
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Opinion Love Israel. Oppose BDS. Reject SodaStream.
As counterintuitive as it may be, when you see Scarlett Johansson’s Super Bowl ad on Sunday, promoting a product that lets you make carbonated drinks at home, try to see through bubbles and think about the future of the Middle East. There is nothing wrong with the product itself. Under normal circumstances, I would buy…
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Israel News SodaStream Boss Admits West Bank Plant Is ‘a Pain’ — Praises Scarlett Johansson
If he could turn back the clock, SodaStream CEO Daniel Birnbaum would “never” have established a production plant on an Israeli Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank. In fact, he said, its location has turned out to be “a pain in the ass.” “We’re here because we’re here — for historical reasons,” Birnbaum told…
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Opinion Scarlett Johansson Stars in ‘SodaStream’
Hollywood starlet Scarlett Johansson is taking heat for her decision to represent SodaStream, an Israeli home beverage company that operates in the occupied West Bank. Cartoonist Eli Valley offers his own unique graphic take on the controversy.
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Breaking News Naftali Bennett Slams Benjamin Netanyahu for ‘Settlers Stay’ Remark
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must refute his proposal that Jewish settlers should be allowed to remain in their homes in a Palestinian state, a member of the Israeli government coalition said. Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett, who serves as economy minister in Netanyahu’s government, on Sunday called the idea “very dangerous” and said it “reflects…
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Breaking News Scarlett Johansson Defends SodaStream After Criticism Over Occupation
Scarlett Johansson has defended her decision to represent SodaStream, an Israeli company that operates in the occupied West Bank. The Hollywood starlet, who will appear in a Super Bowl ad for the controversial home beverage company, released a statement to the Huffington Post after coming under fire for speaking on behalf of the company. “While…
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Opinion Is Israel Safe Without Troops on Jordan River?
While Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies insist that Israel must maintain military control over the Jordan River in order to make sure that hostile forces don’t cross over and turn a Palestinian state into a forward base for attacks on Israel, Israel’s main security professionals continue to argue that Israel can accept…
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