Veolia, long one of the main targets of the international BDS movement, has completely withdrawn from Israel. This is not only a major victory for BDS, but above all a warning to companies still involved in the colonization of Palestine: “Remember Veolia.”
The French multinational Veolia has completely wound down its operations in Israeli-occupied Palestine and withdrawn from the Israeli market. One could hardly imagine a more fitting gift for the BDS movement, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this summer.
The Fight Against Veolia
Veolia has long been a prime target of international BDS organizations due to its involvement in Israel’s occupation and colonization of Palestine. Until recently, the company was active in both public transportation and waste management for the illegal Israeli settlements, thereby contributing to violations of international law and human rights.
For that reason, Veolia faced opposition in every country where it operated or sought to operate. These actions cost the company more than 18 billion euros in contracts that were not renewed or were lost, and led Veolia to divest its interests in Israel. In September 2013, it sold its bus services, and in April 2015, its waste management operations. Last week, the company divested its remaining Israeli holdings in the form of Veolia’s stake in the Jerusalem Light Rail.
Does that settle the matter? No, certainly not. The monster created by Veolia lives on. Veolia leaves behind a tangible and operational infrastructure that remains in use to facilitate (among other things) violations of international law and the practice of apartheid. It stands to reason that the company should dismantle that infrastructure. Furthermore, Veolia will have to compensate for the tangible and intangible harm the company has caused to the Palestinians through its activities.
The next steps regarding the Veolia issue are primarily up to the Palestinians, and for that reason, DocP is awaiting the response from the BDS National Committee, which is expected in the coming days. We will report on it here on this site.
Dutch campaign
In the Netherlands, too, there has been an intensive campaign against Veolia, led in recent years primarily by the coalition Citizens Against Veolia. In cities, regions, and provinces, every available means was used to urge the exclusion of Veolia, and although success was not achieved everywhere, Veolia’s image continued to erode. It is certain that the widely supported Dutch campaigns contributed to Veolia’s change of heart.
DocP would like to thank the Citizens Against Veolia coalition, and everyone else in the Netherlands who has worked to campaign against this company in recent years. Veolia is proof that companies can be compelled to abide by the law through peaceful and legitimate means, but above all that involvement in the Israeli occupation and colonization of Palestine does not pay; it costs you your reputation, and if you’re not careful, your business.
Let this serve as a warning to companies that haven’t taken this step yet. Remember Veolia.