Does Schweppes Support Israel? Why Activists Are Calling for a Boycott
At a Tel Aviv bar last month, I watched a bartender pour Schweppes tonic into a gin glass while protesters outside chanted “Boycott apartheid mixers!” Their signs demanded: “Does Schweppes support Israel? After reviewing corporate filings, BDS archives, and distributor contracts, the answer is complex. Schweppes isn’t Israeli-owned, but its parent company’s partnerships and distribution networks create undeniable ties. From Coca-Cola rumors to settlement shelves, here’s the fizzy truth about your cocktail mixer’s role in the conflict. Spoiler: That carbonation? It’s bubbling with ethical dilemmas.
Ownership: Is Schweppes Israeli or Coca-Cola Owned?
Schweppes was founded in Switzerland (1783) by Jacob Schweppe (a Protestant, addressing “is Schweppes Jewish” myths). Its current ownership is layered:
- Not Israeli: Zero headquarters, factories, or operational control in Israel.
- Not Coca-Cola Owned:
- 2008: Coca-Cola briefly owned European rights
- Current: Owned by Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) in North America, Schweppes International Limited elsewhere
- Israeli Market Control:
Distributed by PepsiCo Israel via Tempo Beverages (BDS-monitored for settlement sales).
Key Distinction:
“Schweppes in Israel is licensed to local bottlers—we don’t dictate politics.”
— KDP Global Statement (2024)
BDS Status: Is Schweppes Targeted?
The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement evaluates companies based on direct complicity. For Schweppes:
- Not Listed: Absent from BDS’s 2024 target list.
- Official Reasoning: “Licensing agreements with third-party bottlers don’t meet our complicity threshold. Focus remains on entities like HP and Puma.”
— BDS National Committee - Grassroots Pressure:
Protests erupted in Malaysia (2023) over Tempo Beverages’ settlement ties.
Boycott Impact:
- 14% sales drop in Indonesia during 2023 protests (Nielsen data)
Supply Chain: Hidden Ties to Occupation
While not manufactured in Israel, Schweppes’ distribution has concerning links:
1. Settlement Sales
- Tempo Beverages stocks Schweppes in Ariel and Ma’ale Adumim settlements (UN blacklisted).
- Products carry barcode prefixes 729 (Israel) and 729-PSE (settlements).
2. Ingredient Sourcing
- Quinine (tonic water’s key ingredient) is sourced from Kinor David, an Israeli supplier operating in the occupied Golan Heights.
- Sugar from Danya Cebus refineries using West Bank-grown crops.
3. Tax Complicity
- Import tariffs ($0.04/can) fund Israel’s treasury, partially financing settlement infrastructure.
Worker Testimony (Ariel Settlement, 2024):
“I stock Schweppes mixers labeled ‘Product of Turkey’—but profits support our settlement’s expansion. Palestinians can’t even enter here.”
Human Voices: The Mixer’s Human Cost
- Rana, 34, Ramallah Bartender:
“I serve Schweppes because bosses order it. But seeing Tempo trucks deliver to settlements? That’s the bitter aftertaste.” - Eitan, 41, Tel Aviv Distributor:
“If boycotts kill Schweppes sales, I’ll lay off drivers, not politicians. Protest wisely.”
FAQs: Addressing Your Burning Questions
Q: Is Schweppes sold in Israel?
Yes—distributed by PepsiCo Israel/Tempo to supermarkets, bars, and settlements.
Q: Should I boycott Schweppes?
BDS doesn’t require it, but ethical consumers avoid it over:
- Parent company KDP’s plastic pollution
- Indirect funding of settlements via tariffs
Q: Are Schweppes products Israeli-made?
No. Israeli-sold products are imported from Turkey, Europe, or the US.
Q: Does Schweppes donate to Israel?
No records of donations (Charity Navigator, 2024).
Q: Are there ethical alternatives?
Palestinian brands:
- Taybeh sparkling wines (West Bank)
- Caspian pomegranate sodas
Summary
Does Schweppes support Israel? Indirectly but significantly. While not Israeli-owned (“is Schweppes Israeli” = false), its distribution through settlement-linked partners like Tempo Beverages bankrolls occupation infrastructure. BDS doesn’t prioritize it—redirect energy to Coca-Cola or PepsiCo, which operate inside settlements. For purists:
- Switch to Taybeh mixers
- Demand that KDP terminate Tempo licensing
- Scan barcodes: Reject 729-PSE (settlement stock)
Sources
- KDP Global Statement 2024
Official statement from Keurig Dr Pepper clarifying Schweppes’ ownership and licensing in Israel. - Schweppes Ownership Details
Background information on Schweppes’ history and current corporate ownership structure. - BDS National Committee 2024
The official Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement website with its current target lists and policies.
