"We Call our Membership and on the Public at Large, to Avoid Shell Gas Stations in Favour of Companies that Honour Sanctions."

Paris, 28 September 2010

In a letter to Peter Voser, Shell CEO, the Simon Wiesenthal Centre’s Director for International Relations, Dr. Shimon Samuels referred to an article in the British daily, the Guardian 
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/27/shell-buys-more-oil-iran >
"Shell Increases Oil Trade with Iran - Despite Sanctions: oil giant stepped-up orders of Iranian crude while others halted trade amid sanctions imposed by UN, EU, USA."

The letter continued "reportedly, in the months immediately following the imposition of sanctions, your company raised purchases by 27%, at the same time enjoying an increased discount due to the 'reputational risk' for companies trading with Iran."

Samuels added "apparently, the once proud reputation of your parent, Royal Dutch Shell, has been sullied by irresponsible greed. Your payment of $ 1.5 billion this summer to Tehran enriched your coffers, but Shell arguably, may be perceived as now indirectly complicit in encouraging Tehran's weaponization programme, its sponsorship of global terrorism and its repressive abuse of domestic fundamental rights."

The Centre stressed that "Shell's alleged exploitation of the sanctions regime for immoral enrichment must carry a reputational price."

"Until Shell publicly announces the cancellation of further crude oil purchases from Iran,we urge the public to exercise its intellignt choice and avoid Shell gas stations to give their business to companies that honour sanctions. All who are concerned for world peace and human rights should leave Shell products on the shelf." concluded Samuels.