Oxfam, the worldwide charity that purports to fight poverty, has diverted its energies into the crusade against Israel. In the process, it has lost the services and affections of one of the world's most famous actresses, Scarlett Johansson. The Guardian reports:

Scarlett Johansson has quit her ambassador role with Oxfam  followingcriticism over her decision to star in an advertising campaign for SodaStream, the fizzy drinks company which owns a factory in an Israeli settlement in the West Bank.

In a statement, Johansson said she was ending her relationship with the humanitarian group over "a fundamental difference of opinion".

"Scarlett Johansson has respectfully decided to end her ambassador role with Oxfam after eight years," the statement said. "She and Oxfam have a fundamental difference of opinion in regards to the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement. She is very proud of her accomplishments and fundraising efforts during her tenure with Oxfam."

SodaStream has come under fire from pro-Palestinian activists for maintaining a large factory in the West Bank. Oxfam opposes all trade in goods produced by Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories, saying they are illegal and deny Palestinian right

It is hard for me to understand how closing the factory and throwing Palestinians out of work would help end poverty. Oxfam's own website proclaims:

One person in three in the world lives in poverty. Oxfam is determined to change that world by mobilizing the power of people against poverty.

Around the globe, Oxfam works to find practical, innovative ways for people to lift themselves out of poverty and thrive. We save lives and help rebuild livelihoods when crisis strikes. And we campaign so that the voices of the poor influence the local and global decisions that affect them.

Clearly, providing manufacturing jobs at decent wages is one way to fight poverty. But appatrently Oxfam would prefer that yet another generation of Palestinians be kept on charity for three generations - the world's only hereditary "refugee" population, nurtured by the Arab regimes that refuse to allow them to assimilate in their own societies.

As far as I am concerned Oxfam has discredited itself by deviating from its mission, and deserves no financial support from Americans. Boycotts can work two ways.