Edinburgh City Council Discusses Israeli Eden Springs, Nov 22, 2007

On Thursday November 22nd Edinburgh City councillors discussed a motion to cancel its contract with Israeli water cooler company, Eden Springs.

Listen to the contribution by Palestine Solidarity deputation

Initially the SNP/Liberal Democrat Council administration opposed the motion, calling instead to 'take no further action at this time". Following the contribution by the deputation and a short break when councillors took some time to discuss the matter, the full council meeting unanimously agreed to review the contract with Eden Springs and for a report on the matter to be heard at the next full Council meeting in a month's time.


Media Reports:

 

Israeli water firm faces boycott call in Capital

http://news.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=1855312007

 

Pro-Palestinian groups threaten Israeli water company's activity in Scotland

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3476834,00.html

 

‘Council notes the call by major groups in Palestinian civil society to boycott Eden Springs. Council further notes that the STUC have supported this call & have cancelled their contract with Eden Springs. Council resolves to support this call and instructs officers to cancel the contract with Eden Springs in their supply of water to City of Edinburgh Council.’


COUNCIL DECISION ON 22 NOV:

"Further to your deputation to the Council meeting on 22 November 2007 in relation to the Eden Springs Contract, I can confirm that the Council agreed:

  1. To note the call by the major groups in Palestinian civil society to boycott Eden Springs and that the STUC had supported this call and had cancelled their contract with Eden Springs.
  2. To agree, in principle, to review the Council’s contract with Eden Springs and ask for a report back within one cycle on how this could be achieved; the report to include:
    1. a review of the legal status of the Eden Springs contract;
    2. the ability of the Council to break that contract and the financial costs of doing so;
    3. the possibility of future contracts stipulating locally sourced supplies, preferably within Scotland to further promote Scottish produce and reduce the Council’s carbon footprint, whilst taking account of UK and EU procurement legislation.
  3. To use the opportunity of reviewing the contract to minimise the environmental impact of providing drinking water in Council buildings and therefore to call for a report into options for this, including the use of tap water instead of bottled water.

Carmel Riley, Senior Committee Officer, City of Edinburgh Council"


What Next?

The campaign continues! The next full Edinburgh City Council meeting is on Thursday 20 December 2007.

  • Scottish PSC will again be organising a deputation to address councillors at this full council meeting
  • We urge all those interested in supporting universal human rights and in making sure Edinburgh City Council cuts all links to Eden Springs to also consider sending a deputation - please contact us to let us know you are doing this: campaign@scottishpsc.org.uk
  • Until contracts are cancelled and Eden Springs water bottles and coolers are removed BOYCOTT EDEN SPRINGS!