By Katie Bird, Cosmetics Design Europe – 28 May 2010
www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Products-Markets/Sephora-taken-to-court-over-products-from-Israeli-brand-Ahava
LVMH-owned Sephora has been taken to court by the Palestinian rights organisation CAPJPO-EuroPalestine over the sale of cosmetics brand Ahava, according to press reports.
The beauty retailer stocks the Ahava range, which according to the association is produced in territories in the West Bank illegally occupied by Israel.
CAPJPO-EuroPalestine claims by occupying these territories Israel is committing a war crime; and in retailing the products, Sephora is supporting an illegal cause.
This, the association argues, has led it to call on the justice system in an attempt to cancel the contract between Sephora and Ahava.
In addition, the group organised a protest in front of the Sephora store in the Carrousel du Louvre last week.
No one was available to comment from Sephora or LVMH at the time of publishing.
Ahava under scrutiny
This is not the first time Ahava has been under scrutiny. Late last year, a shipment of the products worth €38,000 was destroyed by the Palestinian custom officials in accordance with its policy to prevent the import and sale of products produced in the settlements.
Dutch officials have also investigated the products in the past regarding whether Dead Sea Cosmetics, which manufacturers the Ahava products, was benefiting from lower tax tariffs reserved for ‘Made in Israel’ products.
In addition, the US women’s peace organisation, CodePink, organised a boycott of the products.
Entitled Stolen Beauty, the boycott claimed the company is stealing Palestinian natural resources in the illegally occupied territories of the West Bank in the form of Dead Sea minerals and mud.
“Don’t let the “Made in Israel” sticker fool you—when you buy Ahava products you help finance the destruction of hope for a peaceful and just future for both Israelis and Palestinians,” the campaign reads.
