Sodastream is more than a device that can create homemade, delicious carbonated drinks. It’s a company that’s creating peace between Israelis and Arabs.
Headquarters
The Sodastream headquarters is now near the Southern Israeli Bedouin city of Rahat. It was originally in the West Bank, but the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement foolishly had that location closed, despite the peaceful coexistence it created among the Israelis and Arabs. It was “over the green line,” they protested. If BDS’ true goal is to help “Palestinians,” they are failing miserably. Obviously, their true goal is to destroy Israel. Their boycotts are hurting the Arab population too, as seen by their destructive boycott of Sodastream’s former headquarters. Famous actress Scarlett Johansson even defended the policies in a Superbowl ad for the company, but to no avail.
The CEO and His Workers
The CEO Daniel Birnbaum said, “We are located only 20 kilometers from Gaza, so our employees, especially our Muslim employees, asked to send a message to their brothers on the other side of that fence and say ‘hey folks, life can be different. Let’s figure out how to work together instead of fight together.”
Jews and Arabs working together
Nabeel Bsharat, a “Palestinian” from Ramallah is a manager and has been working for Sodastream for 8 years. He believes there are benefits to working with Israelis. He says, “It’s good for everything. You can learn from the other, and you accept the other.”
His Jewish co-worker Rachel also has something positive to say. At an event celebrating the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, she said, “It makes me very happy to be in this kind of event. I see and hear unity of the people of Israel when we celebrate here together with the Muslims. The same way they are celebrating with us our holidays.”
Sodastream’s Success
Aside from selling a popular product, the Sodastream company is doing good for the Middle East and the world. They have built a successful and harmonious work environment for Israelis and Arabs. And that is something to be proud of!