This is a rather long post. I hope it is not too confusing. I have added the links from which I gleaned my information. while the wording is my own, the sources for my views can be found in the links
These are some known businesses that are owned predominatly by Palestinians and run by Palestinians in Palestine. Although the overall view is they are non-Palestinians, keep in mind Company headquarters may be non-Palestinian, but it is individuals that own the local franchises.
I got this list from searching Palestinian organizations or successful Palestinian Busnessmen.
Coca-Cola, the largest plant in the mideast is located in Ramlah and the franchise is owned by Zahi Khouri, who was born in Jaffa now lives in Rahmlah and owns Palestinian National Beverage Company which is the only franchised bottler of Coca-Cola in Palestine and Israel. 100% of the employees are Palestinian
For further information see:
http://imeu.net/news/article003098.shtml
http://www.countercurrents.org/khouri040607.htm
Nestle-- Formed their branch in Palestine in 1946 and contiues to do business as Food Specialities Bethlehem Co located in the West Bank and again has 100% Palestinian Employees there\
First a brief view of Nestle's history in the mideast. Again remember Nestle is operated by franchise and the individual owners of a franchise may be in any country. This brief History did come from Nestle's Home site.http:
//www.nestle-family.com/view/eng/OurCompanyPage.aspx?page=C22070824a
History
1934
Began importing products to the Middle East from Vevey, Switzerland
1946
Agency created in Beirut for Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and Iraq
1955
Contract was signed with Basamah Trading in KSA
1957
SEPN Syria was legally established
1962
Nestlé World Trading Corporation (NWTC) established in Beirut, overseeing the Middle East (including Iraq, KSA, Egypt & Libya)
1975
Civil war forced NWTC to move to Kuwait and in 1978 to Vevey
1976
Agreement to produce CERELAC under license for 10 years in Syria in a factory owned by the government
1982
Local production started in KSA (MAGGI and CERELAC)
1992
License was granted in Syria to manufacture MAGGI, MILO and CERELAC; production started in 1997
1995
Nestlé Jordan Trading Co. was created
1996
Operation in Kuwait started under Nestlé Kuwait General Trading Co.
1997
Middle East market formed, consolidating GCC and Levant
Food Specialities Bethlehem Co. was created in Palestine
2001
Nestlé resumed business in Iraq
2003
Nestlé Iran PJSCo started producing CERELAC
2003
Nestlé Oman Trading Co. was created
2004
Nestlé Bahrain Trading Co. was created
2005
Nestlé Qatar Trading LLC was created
2006
Nestlé Dubai LLC was created
The world of international corporations is strange. International companies like Nestle are actually many companies in many countries. Many of Nestle companies are in Muslim Nations and owned by Muslims.
Carmel-Agrexco which is listed as Israeli produce company and exports produce under the names of Carmel, Jaffa and Coral. Is actually located in Gaza and all of the produce is from Palestinian orchards. Sadly, many products produced in Gaza get exported as being Israeli. Gaza has no means of exprting except through Israel and there it gets stamped as being Israeli.
Here is the Impact reduced sales by Agrxco has on Palestinians in Gaza.
From the Palestinian Centre of Human Rights
Impact of the Closure on Gaza Strip Exports of Strawberries and Cut Flowers
__________________________________________________ _____________________
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 2 March 2008
1
“The permission to allow the export of limited quantities of strawberries
was a smoke screen … Our lives have been poisoned. We plant
strawberries; then we destroy the crop or sell it dirt cheap.” Nathir Rajab
El-Attar, farmer from Beit Lahia.
“… Out of fear, I was forced to sell the crop in the local market at a price of
2.5 NIS per kilogram instead of 15 NIS/Kilo when exported.” Khaled
Ghaben, farmer from Beit Lahia.
“We had hoped for a successful season since Karm Abu Salem Crossing
was opened for cut flower exports … 250,000 cut flowers were exported to
Holland. But Israel went back and closed the crossing for exports.” Zaher
Ahmad El-Qadi, farmer from Rafah.
“Every morning I go to the flower greenhouses with the intent to uproot
them; but I couldn’t do it. I would rather my hand get cut off before cutting
off the crop in full blossom. But the blossom is futile, and even caused
losses upon me … We have to uproot it and plant alternatives in order to
be able to continue and repay my debts.” Nash’at Mustafa Hejazi, farmer
from Rafah.
For more Information:
http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/Reports/English/pdf_spec/strawberries.pdf
I suggest going to this site from Gaza and learn about Gaza from people in Gaza, trying to rebuild Gaza.
http://www.pchrgaza.org/
A ban on Israel Produce would wreck what is left of Gaza.
This is a far from complete list. However, these 3 companies are usually mentioned on boycott lists. I just want to point out that Boycotting these companies will hurt Palestine.
Yes, we need to boycott companies that support Israel, but we must be cautious and be certain we are not Boycotting compaies that actually benefit Palestine.
International Corporations are strange. Each is made of many branches and tehre is no central ownership. Each division is a separate unit and could be owned and operated by the very country you are trying to help.