Across the world, fans of fair play and sports for everyone are joining the call from Palestinian teams and athletes to boycott sportswear manufacturer Puma until it ends support for Israel’s illegal military occupation and denial of Palestinian human rights. Puma is the main sponsor of the Israel Football Association (IFA), which proudly includes and advocates on behalf of teams in Israeli settlements pushing Palestinian families off their land. Israeli settlements are illegal and constitute a war crime under international law. Last June, groups in more than 20 countries joined the first Global #BoycottPuma Day of Action, with protests at Puma shops and offices and at Puma-sponsored teams. On social media, #BoycottPuma was THE most tweeted Puma-related hashtag that day.
Puma is feeling the pressure. To sideline criticism, Puma is resorting to ridiculous claims, including a “devotion to universal equality.”
A “devotion to universal equality” must mean not sporting with apartheid! It requires Puma to end its:
- complicity in whitewashing Israel’s illegal land grabs that rob Palestinians of territory and natural resources.
- support for Israel’s occupation infrastructure that denies Palestinian athletes their rights to freedom of movement and to practice sports.
- sponsorship of the Israel Football Association.
Take Action:
Below are just a few of the ways your group can get involved in the #BoycottPuma Day of Action.
Involve local sports associations, popular sports teams, fan clubs and anti-racist tournaments in your actions.
1. Organize a creative action at a Puma shop
Get creative. Organize a mock football match or sporting event at a Puma shop selling Puma products.
2. Organise a talk or workshop
Involve local sports associations in a workshop or public talk on Israel’s attacks on Palestinian sports and the #BoycottPuma campaign. Hold a lunchtime talk in your workplace canteen or union room.
3. Call on Puma-sponsored teams to #BootPuma
Puma sponsors teams, leagues, athletes and artists. Check to see if local teams are sponsored by Puma and urge them to drop Puma. Call on local athletes sponsored by Puma to use their influence to convince Puma to end its sponsorship deal with the IFA. Follow #PumaFam for news on new sponsorship deals.
4. Start a campaign for Divestment
Investigate whether your pension fund, bank or any other institution you are a member of is an investor in Puma and ask them to divest.
Trade Union Friends of Palestine 