Retail chain in Norway halts Ahava sales

(JTA) — A major retail chain in Norway halted the sale of all “products originating from settlements in occupied territories,” including Ahava cosmetics.

The Norwegian pharmaceutical chain VITA, which has 160 stores throughout Norway, made the announcement last Friday.

VITA has been the main retailer of Ahava products in Norway, according to the Norwegian People’s Aid and the Norwegian Union of Municipal and General Employees in a statement on the BDS movement website, adding “this decision will be a serious blow to the sales of Ahava products in Norway.”

The VITA decision comes after a period of active lobbying from the Norwegian People’s Aid and the Norwegian employees’ union.

“The principled decision by VITA not to buy products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank is based on a position of not wanting to contribute to violations of international law,” the group’s statement said.

The flagship London branch of Ahava cosmetics closed last September, citing biweekly demonstrations that hurt its profits.