SodaStream update: The boycott is a “nuisance.” And “we’re Zionists.”
An hour after I hit the “publish” button on the SodaStream post, the firm’s publicist got back to me with an answer to my question about how BDS might be affecting sales. He referred me to a September 1 JTA story, which reports that the company is thinking of closing its West Bank factory (pictured below)—but purely for “financial reasons.” Those reasons do not include the boycott, which CEO Daniel Birnbaum dismissed as a mere “nuisance.” And, in case you missed the political point, he made the company’s position very clear: “We are… Read More
SodaStream: is BDS hitting where it hurts?
[See company’s response here.] This morning, the Israeli-based fizz merchant SodaStream announced miserable preliminary financial results for the quarter ending September 30. Its stock promptly fell by over 20%, compounding losses over the last year. It’s now more than 70% off its all-time high set in July 2011, and the company may well put itself up for sale. The company’s explanation of the glum performance was not much of an explanation at all. From their official release: “We are very disappointed in our recent performance,” said Daniel Birnbaum, Chief Executive Officer of SodaStream…. Read More
