Editor’s Note: The following is a press release from Manchester Palestine Action. Mondoweiss occasionally publishes press releases from organizations in an effort to draw attention to overlooked issues.
Manchester Palestine Action took action Sunday at the Puma department of Sports Direct to call for a global boycott of Puma for sponsoring the Israeli Football Association (IFA). Here is the video of the action on Facebook and Twitter. Global sportswear manufacturer Puma is involved in violations of international law and human rights. Puma is the main sponsor of the IFA, which includes teams in Israel’s illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian land.
Israel’s military occupation expels Palestinian families, including children, from their homes to give way for these settlements. Israeli settlements are considered war crimes under international law. We held up photos of Palestinian footballers whose careers have been destroyed by Israeli oppression, such as Mahmoud Sarsak. Other footballers have been deliberately shot in the legs at Israeli checkpoints, ending their careers.
More than 200 Palestinian sports clubs have called on Puma to end the sponsorship deal. The IAF has 6 teams playing in illegal Israeli settlements built on stolen Palestinian land. Israeli bombing killed Palestinian national footballers.
Sign the pledge to boycott puma called by the boycott national committee (BNC). In the UK the Palestine Solidarity Campaign has called on the Premier league team Newcastle United not to renew their sponsorship with Puma, Join the call here.
And on Saturday, June 15, join the #BoycottPuma International Day of Action! You can learn more here: bdsmovement.net/puma-day.
Finally, on April 18th, Puma shareholders will gather for the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). Let’s make sure Puma’s sponsorship of Israeli war crimes is on the agenda! Tweet the pledge to give Puma the boot. The campaign hashtags are #Boycottpuma #Givepumatheboot
