12/06/2011
Protestors at Ahava, London (Photo: Jewish Chronicle)
Simon Natas acted for four activists who blockaded a Covent Garden shop which trades in cosmetics produced on an illegal Israeli settlement in the West Bank. All four argued that the Ahava shop was trading illegally and that they were acting in order to prevent crime. On 21 April, a District Judge decided that the defendant’s actions fell outside the limits of lawful protest, but accepted that there was considerable weight to their argument that Ahava’s trade was tainted with illegality as a result of its activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The defendants will be appealing against their convictions.
Press Statement from the Ahava 4
London, 21 April 2011
Although these proceedings have resulted in our convictions, no one should be in any doubt about the real criminality in this case. During the three-day hearing, we demonstrated that Ahava cosmetics are manufactured on stolen Palestinian land. Ahava’s trade is not only immoral, it is illegal. We believe that our action was lawful and justified.
Today’s judgment illustrates the complicity of the authorities in allowing companies to profit from the occupation. Throughout the trial, neither the Judge nor the prosecution challenged the assertion that the settlements are illegal in international law. Irrespective of today’s judgment, campaigners believe that they are still the victors.
As a result of the collective efforts of activists, Ahava’s flagship Covent Garden store will close this September. This demonstrates the efficacy of grassroots action in creating real and tangible change.
We call for mass participation in the campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, building a movement that can directly challenge Israeli apartheid and occupation.