I've edited the email text to be more relevant to our club if anyone wants to use it:
I am writing to you about your clubs business relationship with
sportswear manufacturer Puma, and their complicity with Israel’s abuses
of Palestinian human rights.
Puma is the main sponsor of the Israel Football Association (IFA), which, as documented by Human Rights Watch, includes football clubs based in illegal Israeli settlements on stolen Palestinian land.
All Israeli settlements are illegal, and, as noted by Amnesty International, “key
acts required for the establishment of settlements amount to war crimes
under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.” Israeli
settlements are illegal land grabs that form an integral part of
Israel’s occupation infrastructure - pushing Palestinian families off
their land, destroying their houses, robbing Palestinians of natural
resources and essential supplies such as water and medicine and denying
Palestinians their right of movement.
My
football team, the Easton Cowboys and Cowgirls based in Bristol, have
visited the West Bank and played with both men and womens teams there.
We have seen first hand the injustice and cruelty that the Isreali
forces are perpretrating on the Palestinian people, and since then have
vowed to share their stories to a world that often doesn't want to
listen.
Football has the potential to do tremendous good in
bringing communities together, and can be an effective way of delivering
social justice. Supporting justice and equality means being proactive,
and choosing not to do harm. This is why I implore you to be on
the right side of history regarding the Israeli apartheid of Palestine
and to commit to end your business relationship with PUMA while they
contribute to the violation of Palestinian rights.
The IFA has refused to take measures to end its complicity in Israeli crimes, despite being repeatedly condemned by senior UN officials, parliamentarians, civil society and human rights groups representing millions, and notable public figures.
As one of the world’s top athletic apparel makers, Puma’s sponsorship
brings international legitimacy to the IFA and helps keep its direct
involvement with violations of human rights and international law. Don't not let your club have its reputation tarnished through association.
In
order to discuss these matters further, I would encourage you to meet
with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Please get in touch with them by
emailing campaigns@palestinecampaign.org
I look forward to your response.
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Sal FW x
