Scarlett Johansson. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Scarlett Johansson

Actress

The talented, stunning (and Jewish) actress Scarlett Johansson stumbled into advocating against Boycott, Divest and Sanction efforts, and she deserves kudos for standing by the State of Israel. After coming under fire for endorsing SodaStream, the Israel-based “make your own soda at home” firm that has a location in a contested area adjacent to Jerusalem, she didn’t shy away. Instead, she reaffirmed her commitment to the SodaStream brand and its employment of Israelis and Palestinians, and ended an eight-year term as a global ambassador with Oxfam International, a consortium of aid groups opposed to her Israeli product endorsement. Her high-profile support of Israel dominated headlines and became a public symbol and an example of not buckling to the trend of anti-Israel sentiment, and demonstrating allegiance to her core values.