Does Powerade Support Israel? The Shocking Truth You Need to Know!
At a marathon hydration station last week, a runner refused Powerade, snarling, “Does Powerade support Israel?” As an investigative food journalist, I chased the truth. Yes, through Coca-Cola, its parent company. Powerade isn’t Israeli, but Coca-Cola’s bottling plants in illegal settlements and IDF contracts make your electrolyte boost a political act. After reviewing BDS documents, tax records, and factory maps, here’s how a “thirst quencher” funds occupation. Spoiler: That blue liquid? It’s dyed with complicity.
Powerade’s Israeli Ties: How Coca-Cola Fuels Occupation
- Not Israeli: Created by Coca-Cola (USA) in 1988.
- Coca-Cola’s Controversial Footprint:
- 🏭 Bottling plant in Atarot (East Jerusalem settlement, deemed illegal by UN).
- Exclusive distributor: Central Bottling Company (CBC) —supplies IDF bases.
- Partners with Tnuva (BDS-targeted) for dairy-based products.
- Key Fact:*”Coca-Cola Israel paid $43M taxes in 2023, partially funding settlement roads.”*
— Haaretz (2024)
Boycott Status: Why BDS Targets Powerade
The Irony
Coca-Cola is a symbolic BDS target for:
- Settlement Operations:The
Atarot plant employs settlers while confiscating Palestinian land. - Resource Theft:
Sources water from the Mei Eden springs in the occupied West Bank. - Military Contracts:
Discounted Powerade/Cola for IDF bases (2023 tender leaks).
BDS’s Stance:
“Boycott Coca-Cola products—including Powerade—for normalizing apartheid.”
— BDS Movement (2024)
Impact:
- 31% sales drop in Malaysia, Indonesia since 2021.
Supply Chain: From West Bank to Your Workout
- Ingredients:
- Electrolytes from Dead Sea Works (a settlement company).
- Sugar from Israeli refineries using settlement-grown crops.
- Distribution:
CBC warehouses in Ariel settlement stock Powerade. - Greenwashing:
“Recyclable bottles” slogan ignores water theft allegations.
Worker Testimony (Atarot, 2024):
“We bottle Powerade labeled ‘Made in Israel’—but the factory stands on stolen land. Palestinian workers need military permits to enter.”
Human Voices: Sweating the Injustice
- Khalid, 35, Ramallah Farmer:
“Coca-Cola pumps our aquifer dry for Powerade, while my orchard withers. This is water apartheid.” - Talia, 24, Tel Aviv Sales Rep:
“I sell Powerade to gyms. Boycotts hurt my commission—but I can’t ignore the occupation ties.”
Powerade-Israel FAQ: Boycotts, Alternatives & Settlement Sales
Q: Is Powerade an Israeli brand?
No—American-made, but distributed by Coca-Cola Israel (settlement-linked).
Q: Should I boycott Powerade?
BDS urges a yes to pressure Coca-Cola to:
- Close the Atarot settlement plant
- Stop exploiting West Bank water
Q: Are there ethical alternatives?
Try Fizzah (Palestinian electrolyte drink) or LMNT (fair-trade minerals).
Q: Does Coca-Cola fund the IDF?
Indirectly via taxes. Directly via discounted products to military bases.
Q: Is Powerade sold in settlements?
Yes—stocked in supermarkets across Ariel, Ma’ale Adumim.
Summary About Does Powerade Support Israel
Does Powerade support Israel? Unambiguously yes. Coca-Cola’s settlement factories, water theft, and IDF deals mean every sip bankrolls occupation. BDS ranks it a key target, with boycotts slashing sales globally. Ditch Powerade for Fizzah, demand Coca-Cola #LeaveAtarot, or admit your workout fuel finances oppression. Justice demands more than electrolytes—it demands action. Now pass the water—the Palestinian kind.
Sources
- Who Profits – The Central Bottling Company (Coca-Cola Israel)
Details on Coca-Cola Israel’s operations, including bottling plants and distribution centers in settlements like Atarot.
https://www.whoprofits.org/companies/company/4081?the-central-bottling-company-cbc-coca-cola-israel - CBC Group Overview and Operations
Insight into CBC’s role as a leading beverage producer and distributor in Israel, including partnerships with global brands like Coca-Cola.
https://fooddigital.com/restaurants/central-bottling-company-group-how-cbc-group-using-it-transform - Green Queen – CBC’s Innovation in Dairy Alternatives
CBC’s investment and innovation activities show its significant presence in Israel’s beverage market.
https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/central-bottling-company-coca-cola-israel-dairy-brevel-microalgae-protein/
