IT'S IN THEIR MAKE-UP

Palestine solidarity activists blockaded Israeli settlement company Ahava’s Covent Garden shop on Saturday (2nd). The cosmetics company profits from the occupation of Palestine, selling Dead Sea mud and mineral products which all originate in the illegal Kibbutz Mipzte Shalem settlement in the West Bank.

Using a concrete lock-on, the two activists stayed put for four hours, keeping the shop closed for most of the day. An info-board informed curious passers-by of the illegality of the shop’s merchandise.

They were only prised off when the police, unable to get a cutting team in, resorted to buying a hammer and chisel from a nearby hardware shop and having a crack at it themselves. Both blockaders were arrested and charged with aggravated trespass, but are planning a political court case as the charge only applies if the action had prevented ‘lawful’ business.

This is the fourth time Ahava, a target of the Israeli boycott campaign, has been blockaded (see SchNEWS 704). In August this year four activists were acquitted after facing charges for a similar action.

* See www.bigcampaign.org