American Friends Service Committee

Boycott, Contents 1 Introduction: Divestment, The Pitch and Sanctions 2 The Catch Case Studies: 3 The Campaign

Veolia 3 The Victories

A 4 References/Credits

B C Introduction: The Pitch

Veolia presents itself as “the world’s leading provider of environmental solutions” in the areas of water, waste, and energy, providing services ranging from wastewater processing and garbage disposal to increasing energy efficiency through public transportation services. The company’s marketing language makes Veolia seem an unlikely target for progressive activists, but a closer look at its operations in occupied Palestinian territory makes clear the need to think again.

Lorem Ipsum American Friends Service CommitteeIssue | Date The Catch

Veolia has received international attention for three aspects of its work in and Palestine: bus operations between illegal settlements and Israel, water processing and waste management for settlements in the West Bank, and the construction and operation of the Light Rail system running through occupied East Jerusalem. Bus Operations

Until recently, Veolia ran bus routes 422, 425, and 427 between Israel and illegal Veolia ran bus routes connecting Israel to illegal settlements in the West Bank. In addition to settlements in the West Bank. increasing the permanence of Israeli presence in occupied territories, these bus operations violate the Geneva Conventions prohibiting against an occupying power making permanent changes to an occupied area, including in infrastructure. An exception to this prohibition may be made for projects undertaken for the benefit of the local population, but Veolia’s busing operation certainly does not qualify; most of the routes run along roads that are exclusively for settler use, isolating D Palestinian communities from one another and seriously hindering movement in the West Bank. The bus lines also do not service Palestinian communities along their routes, and are therefore de facto segregated. Water Processing and Waste Management In addition to busing, Veolia also provided water processing and waste management services from the Ayalon water plant and Tovlan landfill, respectively. Both operation sites are in occupied territory, as are the illegal settlements they service. These violate Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits an occupying force from transferring citizens from its own territory into occupied territory.

Veolia helped build and run light rail trains Light Rail through illegal settlements in East Jerusalem. Veolia and its subsidiary helped build and operate the system, connecting Israel to illegal settlements in East Jerusalem and solidifying Israeli control of the occupied territory. The rail system violates the same Geneva Conventions mentioned above and eases Israeli access to Palestinian Jerusalem, increasing the likelihood of E settler movement into the occupied territory.

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Lorem Ipsum American Friends Service CommitteeIssue | Date The Campaign

Veolia has felt pressure from BDS campaigns Activists protest a speech by Veolia’s CEO at the since the early 2000’s, but the effects have Harvard Kennedy School. been seen most strongly in recent years as the number of organizations divesting has reached a critical mass. Local campaigns have been launched across Europe and in the US to educate the public about Veolia’s role in the Israeli occupation and discourage involvement with the company. More than 25 cities across Europe have opted not to renew contracts with Veolia and company officials now admit that it has suffered “significant reputational damage as a result of publicity and pending litigation” relating to operations F “in troubled regions” such as the occupied West Bank. There have also been successful campaigns in the US. BDS actions prevented the renewal of a contract with Massachusetts Commuter Rail in Boston. Veolia was forced to withdraw a bid with the Water Division in St. Louis when its investment in the Israeli occupation saw significant publicity and became a central issue in the mayoral race. Additionally, protests have spread on college campuses across the country. Many investors including Dutch ASN Bank, Quaker Friends Fiduciary Corporation, and the Norwegian pension fund have divested over Veolia’s role in contributing to human rights violations. The Victories

Veolia has sold the Tovlan landfill, pictured here, As a result of this consistent international and has greatly reduced operations in the region. economic pressure, Veolia has begun to extract itself from the West Bank. In late 2013, the company terminated operations of the Modi’in bus lines and sold its remaining service contracts to Afikim, an Israeli transportation company. In early 2015, Veolia sold the Ayalon water processing plant and Tovlan landfill. Finally, in August 2015, Veolia sold its last 5% share in Jerusalem Light Rail as well as the operating contract, thereby fully withdrawing from the Israeli market. G

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Lorem Ipsum American Friends Service CommitteeIssue | Date References

Murray, Nancy. "Veolia, a Local BDS Target, Loses Massachusetts Commuter Rail Contract." Mondoweiss on Israel/Palestine. Mondoweiss, 09 Jan. 2014. Web. 4 Aug. 2015.

"About Veolia." Veolia North America. Veolia, n.d. Web. 09 July 2015.

"Derail Veolia and Alstom." BDS Movement: Ongoing Campaigns. Palestinian BDS National Committee, n.d. Web. 09 July 2015.

"Dutch Bank ASN Divests from Veolia Over Its Involvement in Building Jerusalem's Light Rail System." Israel & Occupied Territories. Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, n.d. Web. 15 July 2015.

"Land Expropriation and Settlements in International Law." Topics: Settlements. B'Tselem, n.d. Web. 15 July 2015.

"Veolia Environnement." Who Profits: The Israeli Occupation Industry. Who Profits, n.d. Web. 09 July 2015.

"Veolia Environnement Sells Water, Waste and Energy Activities in Israel." Who Profits: The Israeli Occupation Industry. Who Profits, Apr. 2015. Web. 4 Aug. 2015.

"Veolia Suffering "Expensive" Damage Due to Palestine Campaigners' Publicity, Says Financial Expert." The Electronic Intifada. The Electronic Intifada, 19 Feb. 2013. Web. 15 July 2015.

"Veolia Transportation Sold Remaining Bus Lines to Afikim." Who Profits: The Israeli Occupation Industry. Who Profits, Sept. 2013. Web. 4 Aug. 2015.

"Quakers Divest from HP and Veolia Environment." Mondoweiss on Israel/Palestine. Mondoweiss, 25 Sept. 2012. Web. 15 July 2015.

"Israel... Completes Withdrawal from Israeli Market." Who Profits: The Israeli Occupation Industry. Who Profits, 27 Aug. 2015. Web. 27 Aug. 2015.

"Why Target Veolia?" Economic Activism for Palestine: Campaigns. Global Exchange, n.d. Web. 14 July 2015. Photo Credits

A – Electronic Intifada (www.electronicintifada.net/blogs/adri-nieuwhof/veolia-remains-active-garbage-dump- israeli-sweettlers)

B – Pam Bailey (www.paminprogress.tumblr.com/post/21981476168/investment-in-palestine-is-no-substitute-for)

C – Electronic Intifada (www.electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali-abunimah/under-boycott-pressure-veolia-dumps-most- israel-businesses)

D – Muslim Public Affairs Council (www.mpac.org/issues/foreign-policy/mpac-signs-campaign-to-stop-veolia- transports-bid.php)

E – Stop the Wall (www.stopthewall.org/subject/solidarity/veoliaalstom)

F – Mondoweiss (www.mondoweiss.net/2014/01/massachusetts-commuter-contract)

G – Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (www.ipsc.ie/campaigns/veolia/1003-2)

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