Israeli water firm faces boycott call in Capital

Published Date: 26 November 2007
Evening News

AN Israeli water firm could lose its £117,000 contract with the city council after claims it is "pillaging" Syrian natural resources to create profit.

Various groups are calling for a boycott of Eden Springs. It operates in the Golan Heights, a border plateau captured by Israel from Syria in the Six-Day War in 1967.

Its UK arm supplies water coolers for council-run schools and offices in Edinburgh, and at a meeting this week, councillors agreed to call for a review of the contract. Mick Napier, chairman of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: "I am outraged that money is being given to reward Eden Springs. This company pillages the water of an occupied territory."

Labour councillor Gordon Munro originally lodged a motion calling on officials to cancel the contract with Eden Springs, but following legal advice, the politicians agreed to receive a report and review the situation.

An Eden Springs spokesman said: "Eden Springs UK is a separate unit, and the water used in the UK is sourced in the UK."

"We have 100,000 customers in the country and employ around 200 people in Scotland."