Puma vs Facts: Refuting Puma's Justifications for Supporting Israeli Apartheid
Rather than abiding by its stated commitment to human rights and ending all activity in illegal Israeli settlements, Puma has repeatedly attempted to distance itself or justify its actions.
Palestinian sports clubs have called for a boycott of Puma over its sponsorship of the Israel Football Association, which includes and advocates on behalf of teams in illegal Israeli settlements on stolen Palestinian land.
Puma has repeatedly attempted to distance itself or justify its actions, rather than abiding by its stated commitment to human rights and ending all activity in illegal Israeli settlements.
Below we refute Puma's talking points, one fact at a time.
Puma vs Facts #1
Puma vs Facts.
@Puma says its only concern is the power of Sport "to bring people together.”Fact: Puma sponsors the Israel Football Association, which includes and advocates for teams in illegal Israeli settlements ripping Palestinian families apart. https://t.co/MjgLaoWUAd pic.twitter.com/a0nnA3yJcM
— PACBI (@PACBI) August 12, 2020
Puma vs Facts #2
Puma says it does not support any “political direction…or governments.”
Fact: By sponsoring the Israel Football Association, which has repeatedly blocked accountability on settlement teams in @FIFA, @Puma helps sportswash Israel’s ongoing military occupation & apartheid regime. pic.twitter.com/k2skYhClUH
— PACBI (@PACBI) August 12, 2020
Puma vs Facts #3
Puma claims a “devotion to universal equality.”
Fact: @Puma is the sponsor of the Israel Football Association. The IFA includes teams in illegal Israeli settlements forcing Palestinian families from their homes. Puma is supporting Israeli apartheid, the antithesis of equality. pic.twitter.com/4zRnWIyyaf
— PACBI (@PACBI) August 12, 2020
Puma vs Facts #4
Puma says it welcomes “the opportunity to help everyone compete in sports.”
Fact: @Puma's sponsorship of the Israel Football Association sportswashes Israel's attacks on Palestinian sports, including bombing stadiums and arresting, maiming and killing Palestinian athletes. pic.twitter.com/zce1lRN0xv
— PACBI (@PACBI) August 12, 2020
Puma vs Facts #5
Puma says #BoycottPuma is “making their lives miserable.”
Fact: OK, @Puma got this one right.
Malaysia’s largest univ, Chester FC and Luton Town FC dropped Puma. Forest Green Rovers won't sign with Puma.
Support the call from 200+ Palestinian teams: https://t.co/MjgLaoWUAd pic.twitter.com/mBLREXmMlf
— PACBI (@PACBI) August 12, 2020