Ahava flagship store in London shuts down

The flagship London store of the Israeli Ahava cosmetics announced it was closing its doors due to the ongoing pro-Palestinian demonstrations outside the store calling to boycott Israeli goods. Already in March, the store's landlord Shaftesbury PLC announced it would not renew the store's lease due to the ongoing demonstrations. Ahava sells skincare products made of mud and mineral based compounds from the Dead Sea. Pro-Palestinian organizations claim the company is manufacturing its products in a disputed area and describes the company headquarters located in Mitzpe Shalem as "an illegal criminal settlement in the occupied territories." Pro-Palestinian protesters have often stopped shoppers from entering the store handing out leaflets explaining Israel's criminal activities towards the Palestinians. The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions organization known as BDS For Freedom and Justice proudly display on their Web site their efforts to shut down the store. The organization accuses Israel of denying the Palestinians their fundamental rights and demands the world hold Israel accountable for its actions.