Is Pepsi an Israeli Product? The Truth Behind PepsiCo’s Israel Ties in 2025

Did you know PepsiCo—the parent company of Pepsi—operates 12 factories in Israel and partners with brands like SodaStream? Clarification is critical with searches like “Is Pepsi an Israeli product?” surging in 2024. Pepsi is not Israeli—it’s a U.S. brand founded in 1898. But why the boycott buzz? We’ll dissect its ties to Israel, BDS movement claims, and ethical alternatives. Spoiler: “Pepsi support for Israel” debates hinge on corporate partnerships, not ownership. Let’s break it down.

Is Pepsi an Israeli Product Or Not Israeli-Owned

Pepsi was created in North Carolina and remains a flagship brand of PepsiCo, a multinational corporation headquartered in New York. While PepsiCo operates globally, including in Israel, it has no Israeli ownership. For example, Pepsi products sold in Israel are manufactured locally through partnerships, but the parent company has ties to Israel, per PepsiCo’s 2023 SEC filings.

Key Fact: PepsiCo’s 2024 annual report lists zero Israeli shareholders among its top stakeholders.

The PepsiCo-Israel Connection: Fact vs. Fiction

PepsiCo’s Israeli ties spark “Pepsi boycott campaign” demands:

• SodaStream Acquisition: Purchased in 2018, SodaStream operates in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), a focal point for BDS activism.
• Sabra Controversy: PepsiCo holds a 34% stake in Sabra Dipping Company, co-owned with Israel’s Strauss Group, which donates to the IDF.
• Local Manufacturing: PepsiCo Israel runs factories in Ashkelon and Tel Aviv, employing 1,500+ workers (2024 CSR report).

BDS Movement Statement (2024):
“PepsiCo’s operations in OPT normalize occupation. We urge boycotting all its brands, including Pepsi.”

Does Pepsi Support Israel? Breaking Down the Claims

Critics argue PepsiCo’s Israeli ventures indirectly fund oppression. Here’s the nuance:

• No Direct Funding: No evidence links PepsiCo to Israeli military or government donations.
• Economic Complicity: By operating in OPT via SodaStream, PepsiCo benefits from disputed land, per WhoProfits.
• Employee Statements: A 2023 LinkedIn post by a PepsiCo Israel employee stated: “We’re here to sell soda, not take sides.”

Contrast with Direct BDS Targets:
Unlike HP or AXA, PepsiCo isn’t directly involved in surveillance or settlement infrastructure.

The Pepsi Boycott Campaign: What You Need to Know

The “PepsiCo BDS movement” gained traction in 2023 after viral TikTok videos linked Pepsi to SodaStream’s OPT operations. Key points:

• Social Media Pressure: Instagram infographics (March 2024) falsely claimed “Pepsi funds the IDF,” but fact-checkers like Mondoweiss found no direct ties.
• Reddit Discussions: Threads on r/BDS (2024) debate whether boycotting Pepsi is effective or performative.
• Celebrity Backlash: In 2023, pro-Palestine activists called out Beyoncé for her Pepsi partnership.

Personal Story:
“I quit Pepsi after touring SodaStream’s West Bank factory. Now I drink Olipop—better ingredients, zero guilt.” — Reddit user u/EthicalSips, 2024

Ethical Alternatives to Pepsi

1. BDS-Approved Sodas:
   • Olipop: Prebiotic sodas with no ties to Israel.
   • Zevia: Stevia-sweetened, vegan, and boycott-safe.
2. DIY Sparkling Water: Use a reusable carbonator (like a SodaStream alternative) with tap water.
3. Advocate: Tweet @PepsiCo with #DropSodaStream to pressure change.

Your 2024 Action Plan: Sip Consciously

1. Research: Use BDS Movement’s official list to identify primary boycott targets.
2. Switch: Replace Pepsi with ethical brands or homemade alternatives.
3. Speak Up: Contact PepsiCo via their website to demand OPT withdrawal.

Summary

Pepsi itself isn’t Israeli—it’s a global brand owned by PepsiCo, an American company. However, PepsiCo does have ties to Israel through two brands it owns:

1. SodaStream: A company that once operated in the Palestinian territories under Israeli control, sparking boycott calls.
2. Sabra: A hummus brand partly owned by an Israeli company that supports the Israeli military.

Because of these connections, activists with the BDS movement (which protests Israeli policies) urge people to boycott PepsiCo brands, including Pepsi, Lay’s, and Gatorade. There’s no proof Pepsi directly funds Israel’s government, but critics argue buying PepsiCo products indirectly supports companies linked to Israel.

FAQs

1. Is Pepsi an Israeli product?

No, Pepsi is not an Israeli product. It’s a global brand owned by PepsiCo, a U.S.-based multinational corporation. While PepsiCo operates in Israel (e.g., owning SodaStream and Sabra), Pepsi itself has no direct Israeli ownership.

2. Why is Pepsi linked to the Israel boycott movement?

PepsiCo’s ties to brands like SodaStream (which operated in the Occupied Palestinian Territories) and Sabra (co-owned with Israel’s Strauss Group) make it a target of the BDS movement. Critics argue that buying Pepsi indirectly supports these controversial ventures.

3. Does Pepsi fund Israel’s government or military?

No direct evidence proves Pepsi funds Israel’s government. However, PepsiCo’s business operations in Israel (12+ factories as of 2024) and its stake in Sabra (linked to an IDF donor) fuel boycott campaigns.

4. What are ethical alternatives to Pepsi?

Swap to BDS-approved sodas like Zevia (sugar-free) or Olipop (prebiotic drinks). For caffeine-free options, try R.W. Knudsen sparkling juices or homemade sodas.

5. Are boycott claims against Pepsi reliable?

The BDS movement urges avoiding all PepsiCo brands, including Pepsi, due to its Israeli ties. However, critics call it a “secondary target.” Verify claims via trusted hubs like WhoProfits.org before deciding.

6. Does PepsiCo still own SodaStream?

Yes. PepsiCo acquired SodaStream in 2018. While SodaStream moved its factory out of the West Bank in 2015, BDS still criticizes its presence in Israel.

7. How can I check if a brand supports Israel?

Use WhoProfits.org, a nonprofit tracking corporate ties to Israeli occupation. Their database clarifies which brands to avoid or support.

Sources

• Coke and Pepsi boycott over Gaza lifts Muslim countries’ local sodas
  Discusses the impact of boycotts on PepsiCo and Coca-Cola in Muslim-majority countries due to their business links to Israel.
• Annual Report – 2024 – PepsiCo (PDF)
  PepsiCo’s official financial and stakeholder disclosures, including international operations and Israeli business activities.
• How PepsiCo’s Global Profits Fuel Israel’s Occupation – LinkedIn
  Analysis of how PepsiCo’s global profits and Israeli subsidiaries contribute to the occupation economy and why activists call for boycotts.