Why BDS against Israel?
When a country violating human rights does not respond to decades of pressure through diplomatic efforts, international law, or rulings by the International Court of Justice, another level of pressure is needed. For example, when member states violate resolutions, the United Nations imposes sanctions, as has been proposed for Iran, was imposed on Iraq, and is currently being imposed on Sudan for occupation in Darfur.
At this point, Israel has violated more UN resolutions than any other country in the UN. The question is not whether Israel should be singled out for BDS, but whether it should be immune to the standard to which other countries are held.
Nevertheless, any UN proposal to remove international complicity in Israel’s transgressions has been systematically opposed by the United States through its veto in the UN Security Council.
The Palestinian Call for a Global BDS Movement
In 2005, hundreds of civil society organizations came together to endorse a collective Palestinian call for people and institutions around the world to do what the UN has not had the courage to do: to stop profiting off Israel’s Occupation and discrimination against Palestinian Christians and Muslims. This call was similar to the one made by Black South Africans living under Apartheid, a call that began an unstoppable movement that helped topple Apartheid in South Africa.
Given the absence of a clear sole representative of the Palestinian people, many people wonder how best to support what the everyday Palestinian wants. In spite of factions and geographic separation, Palestinians from all walks of life, political affiliation, and personal background have joined together for this call. It has been endorsed by farmers unions, doctors unions, teachers unions, Fatah, Hamas, refugees, Palestinian citizens of Israel, and more. BDS has come to symbolize a unified voice of the Palestinian people.
The fact that Palestinians have asked us to engage in BDS is the best reason to do it, but it’s not the only one. Others:
Historic precedent: it worked against Apartheid in South Africa.
It’s already working! There is constant concern within the Israeli government and Zionist American groups about this global nonviolent movement, precisely because of its potential.
It’s realistic. Hampshire College just became the first US college to divest from companies involved in the Israeli Occupation… just 33 years after Hampshire College became the first US college to divest from Apartheid South Africa! Times are changing and the first one is always the hardest…
It’s a great educational tool. With a BDS Campaign going on, people are forced to learn about the issue and make their own choices about it, rather than being able to ignore it. It also means that even if you don’t win the campaign, you’ve still won.
It’s nonviolent. For those calling on the Palestinians to engage in nonviolent resistance, here is a clear, organized nonviolence movement to resist discrimination and an illegal occupation.
Universities, churches, labor unions, pension funds, and even municipalities and entire states are just some of communities that can start a local campaign. Learn more at www.bdsmovement.net and www.pacbi.org. Read the Palestinian call, FAQs, examples of campaigns and successes, and much more to help you get started.
Credits:
Anna Baltzer, STL-PSC Member
