Security company G4S says it is selling its business in Israel for “commercial reasons” and not because of a boycott movement against Israel.
While announcing its 2015 results Wednesday, G4S said it was selling its business interests in Israel as part of a portfolio review that will see the sale of some 60 other businesses as well.
Will you offer us a hand? Every gift, regardless of size, fuels our future.
Your critical contribution enables us to maintain our independence from shareholders or wealthy owners, allowing us to keep up reporting without bias. It means we can continue to make Jewish Business News available to everyone.
You can support us for as little as $1 via PayPal at [email protected].
Thank you.
The company has been the target of pressure by activists calling for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel. G4S provides security equipment and has contracts with Israel’s prison system, as well as commercial and government clients. It employs 8, 000 people in Israel.
The BDS campaign says G4S’s pullout was a result of its campaign.
G4S spokesman Nigel Fairbrass says Thursday the decision to sell its business in Israel was “entirely” for commercial reasons.
The firm was singled out in BDS ads that were plastered throughout London underground trains – reportedly 500 of them – in February.
The ad alleged that G4S was complicit in holding children without trial, sexual abuse, and torture.