John Lewis has reportedly resisted calls from pro-Palestine campaigners to stop selling items made by Israel’s SodaStream over alleged abuse of its Palestinian staff members.
The retailer defied calls from the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) to stop selling the brand’s fizzy water machines over the alleged abuse, which SodaStream has denied, The Telegraph reported.
In correspondence with the ICJP viewed by the publication, the department store said it “respectfully disagreed” that sales of SodaStream breached UK, European or international consumer protection or criminal law.
It comes after calls from the campaign group for several UK British retailers to stop selling SodaStream’s products, with the ICJP understood to have contacted retailers such as Argos, Currys and stationery specialist Ryman, alongside John Lewis.
The campaign group said it had “serious concerns” over the working practices at the sparkling water company.
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The ICJP said: “Contrary to the company’s claims, Palestinian workers have been segregated from Israeli colleagues and subjected to discriminatory treatment, exploitative labour conditions and denial of religious accommodations.”
SodaStream has previously said that its Israeli and Palestinian staff members work “side by side in peace and harmony”.
ICJP head of legal Mutahir Ahmed alleged that Palestinian staff members were being “exploited to make the products that John Lewis sells on its shelves”.
John Lewis said all of the brands it sold were required to “ensure that they are compliant with its responsible sourcing code of practice”.
A spokesman added that this code of practice “focuses on working conditions”.
“SodaStream is a brand sold by a number of retailers, however, we understand we were the only business to respond to the ICJP’s questions.
“We keep our sourcing under constant review and as circumstances change, we will take the appropriate action.”
Retail Gazette has contacted John Lewis, Currys, Ryman, Argos and SodaStream for comment.
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