12 February 2010

Dear Dominick Costello,

It's almost Valentine's Day. Please have a heart! Stop carrying AHAVA Cosmetics at Ricky's NYC.

Ahava promises “Beauty Secrets from the Dead Sea.” But wait until you hear those secrets! Because Ahava is hiding the ugly truth—its products come from stolen Palestinian natural resources in the Occupied West Bank, and are produced in the illegal settlement of Mitzpe Shalem. Don't let the “Made in Israel” sticker fool you—when you buy Ahava you help finance the destruction of hope for a peaceful and just future for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Ahava puts a pretty face on its crimes—defending its theft of Palestinian resources by claiming: "The Dead Sea and its treasures are international and do not belong to one nation.” This statement defies international law, and around the world people are standing up to Ahava's lies. The Dutch Foreign Minister has called for an investigation into Ahava; A British Minister of Parliament recently denounced Ahvava's labeling practices as “fraudulent”; and there have been boycott actions in Amsterdam, Paris, Montreal, London, Vienna, and around the United States. 

Mr. Costello, don't you want to be on the right side of history? Stand up for a just peace for the people of Israel and Palestine. There is no love in occupation. Stop carrying AHAVA.

CODEPINK Women for Peace