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The term ‘BDS’ has been in numerous news reports, political debates, and on social media. But what exactly is BDS? This blog will give you all the information you need. . BDS stands for ‘Boycott Divestment & Sanctions’ and is a campaign promoting various forms of boycott against Israel until it meets its obligations under international law to end the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories and Israel’s apartheid policies.
Ever since the start of the Gaza-Israel war in 2023, the movement has gained popularity as more and more people come together to condemn Israeli war crimes and boycott certain companies and brands that have heavily invested in Israel or directly support their military.
However, there are certain misconceptions about the BDS movement, and many people are reluctant to support it due to a lack of understanding. Read on to see everything there is to know about this movement and what it stands for.
The BDS movement is a peaceful initiative that uses three main strategies: boycott, divestment, and sanctions. Let’s break these terms down:
1. Boycott: This involves avoiding goods, services, and cultural or academic events linked to Israel. For example, people may choose not to buy products made in Israeli settlements or refuse to attend events sponsored by Israeli institutions.
2. Divestment: Divestment calls on companies, organisations, and institutions to stop investing in businesses that benefit from Israel’s violations of Palestinian rights. This could include ending investments in arms manufacturers or companies involved in building settlements.
3. Sanctions: Sanctions refer to pushing governments to impose restrictions on Israel, such as trade limitations, cutting military aid, or suspending diplomatic relations until Israel complies with international law.
The BDS movement is rooted in nonviolent activism and seeks to hold Israel accountable for its actions against Palestinians.
The BDS movement was launched in 2005 by all the major groups who were representing Palestinians, such as:
It also included the displaced Palestinians who were living as refugees, those living under occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and the discriminated Palestinian citizens of Israel.
Inspired by the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, the Palestinian BDS movement calls for nonviolent pressure on Israel until it complies with international law by meeting the following three demands:
According to international law, Israel has occupied the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Gaza, and the Syrian Golan Heights after the 1967 war. Israel's military occupation includes stealing Palestinian land, forcing them into ghettos surrounded by checkpoints and watchtowers, along with an illegal apartheid wall.
Furthermore, Israel has imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip, where millions of people have limited resources and nowhere to go while living in one of the most densely populated areas on the planet.
In addition, Israel regularly conducts large-scale attacks on Gaza that are widely viewed as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
About one-fifth of the population of Israel resides within the armistice lines, which were drawn after 1948. As of 2024, over 65 Israeli laws have been identified that discriminate against Palestinians, both within Israel and in the occupied territories. The Israeli leadership routinely and openly incites racial violence against these Palestinians.
Following its forceful establishment in 1948, Israel forced more than half of the indigenous Palestinian population to be expelled from their ancestral home and territories. This expulsion is known as ‘Nakba’.
From the very beginning of its creation, Israel has intended to control as much land and uproot as many Palestinians as possible. This idea has been supported by the Israeli government’s policy of building illegal settlements on stolen Palestinian lands, which has resulted in the displacement of Palestinian families. {stats on expansion of illegal settlements}
Due to this systematic forced displacement, more than 7.25 million Palestinians are now refugees. Due to apartheid policies undertaken by the Israeli government, as they are not Jewish, they are not allowed to return to their homes.
The BDS movement encourages individuals, organisations, and governments to take action. Here are some examples of how people participate:
1. Consumer Boycotts: Individuals encouraged to stop buying products made in Israeli settlements, such as certain dates, wine, or cosmetics. Highlighting that these products profit from the illegal occupation of Palestinian land.
2. Academic and Cultural Boycotts: Universities, artists, and writers may refuse to collaborate with Israeli institutions or perform in the country and reject the invitation. For example, artists like Roger Waters have publicly refused to perform in Israel as part of the cultural boycott.
3. Corporate Divestment: Activists pressure companies to end their involvement in projects that harm Palestinians. For instance, campaigns have targeted companies that supply bulldozers used to demolish Palestinian homes.
4. Government Sanctions: Supporters of the BDS movement lobby their governments to impose restrictions on Israel. This could include ending arms sales or suspending trade agreements. For example, South Africa has downgraded its diplomatic relations with Israel and has expressed support for the BDS movement.
Through these methods, the BDS movement aims to create economic and political pressure on Israel to change its policies.
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It is difficult to determine the impact of BDS on the Israeli economy, and this depends significantly on the study that you rely on to measure its effect on exports and industries.
In 2015, a study conducted by the Knesset found that Israeli merchandise exports to the European Union had more than doubled in the last 10 years since 2005. However, during the same period, BDS points to a 2014 UN report that stated it was a factor behind Israel's 46% drop in foreign direct investment.
Other than that, we have seen some significant boycotts of Israel, which include economic, cultural, academic as well as business too. Here are a few examples:
The BDS movement has targeted international companies that are complicit in Israel's violations of international law. Campaigns have led to significant actions, such as:
1. Veolia and Orange: Veolia and Orange have exited the Israeli market following sustained BDS campaigns highlighting their involvement in activities that support Israel's policies towards Palestinians.
2. Divestment by Financial Institutions: Government pension funds in Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, and Luxembourg, along with investors like George Soros, the Bill Gates Foundation, and Dutch pension giant PGGM, have divested from companies operating in Israel, signalling a growing reluctance to be associated with Israel's policies.
3. Suspension of Trade Agreement: Following the 2014 Israeli attacks on Gaza, the Chilean government suspended negotiations on a free trade agreement with Israel.
Recent boycotts in Muslim-majority countries after the Israel-Gaza have significantly impacted Western brands that have shown their direct or indirect support to Israel. For instance:
1. Starbucks: In 2024, Starbucks reportedly faced an $11 billion global loss attributed to such boycotts, with significant sales declines in Middle Eastern countries.
2. KFC: In Malaysia and Indonesia, KFC reportedly had to close several of its outlets due to increased boycott calls and substantial losses that amounted to millions of dollars.
3. Coca-Cola: Coca-Cola has also experienced decreased sales in the region, which can be attributed to consumer boycotts over their perceived support for Israel.
4. Unilever: Unilever sold Ben & Jerry’s ice cream business in Israel to its local licensee for an undisclosed sum to defuse BDS row
The BDS movement has extended to academic institutions in recent years. In fact the movement has become quite popular in academic institutions like universities and colleges, where students and even professors have strongly advocated for it. Here are some notable examples:
1. The University of Johannesburg in 2011 terminated its relationship with Ben-Gurion University in Israel, marking a significant academic boycott.
2. University of Adelaide (Australia): In 2024, the University of Adelaide considered an anti-Israel motion following a unanimous vote by over 200 pro-Palestine students to support the BDS movement against Israel.
3. Sonoma State University (USA): In 2024, Sonoma State University's president initiated an academic boycott of Israel and began reviewing school investments linked to Israel, actions that were later deemed insubordinate by the university system's administration.
4. Columbia University (USA): In 2024, Columbia University experienced protests involving students demanding a Palestinian state and escalating activism, reflecting a growing support for BDS on campus
Many well-known artists and personalities have either cancelled scheduled performances in Israel or outright endorsed BDS. These include Roger Waters from Pink Floyd, Lauryn Hill, Brian Eno from U2, Lorde, Lana Del Rey, Shakira, Angela Davis, Judith Butler, Alice Walker, Ken Loach, Alia Shawkat, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Naomi Klein, and the late Stephen Hawking and Elvis Costello.
Many people choose to support the BDS movement because they believe in justice, equality, and human rights and have gotten tired of seeing Israel committing war crimes and breaking countless UN resolutions. Here are some reasons why you might consider supporting it:
Some people have concerns or misunderstandings about the BDS movement. Let’s address a few common questions:
No, the BDS movement is not against Jewish people. It opposes the policies of the Israeli government, not individuals or communities. Many Jewish people and organisations around the world support BDS as part of their commitment to justice and equality.
The goal of BDS is not to harm individuals but to pressure the Israeli government to change its policies. The movement targets institutions and companies that contribute to the occupation, not everyday people.
On the contrary, the BDS movement seeks a peaceful resolution based on justice and equality. It calls for the end of oppression and discrimination, which are necessary for lasting peace.
If you’re interested in supporting the BDS movement, here are some steps you can take:
1. Educate Yourself: Learn more about Palestine's history and the issues facing Palestinians today. This will help you understand why the BDS movement was started and what it hopes to achieve.
2. Join Local Campaigns: Many communities have BDS groups that organise events, campaigns, and educational workshops. Joining one can help you make a difference. Some of these are the Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), Australasian Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) and many more.
3. Spread the Word: Share information about BDS on social media, with friends, or in your community. Raising awareness is a crucial part of the movement. Use hashtags when sharing news articles and reports related to the Israel-Gaza Issue.
4. Pressure Institutions: If you’re a student, you can campaign for your university to divest from companies that harm Palestinians. If you’re part of an organisation, encourage them to adopt BDS principles.
5. Advocate for Change: Contact your government representatives and urge them to take action, such as imposing sanctions on Israel or ending arms sales.
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The BDS movement Palestine is a peaceful, global effort to support the rights of Palestinians and hold Israel accountable for its actions. By boycotting, divesting, and advocating for sanctions, supporters aim to create pressure for change.
Supporting the BDS movement is about standing up for justice, equality, and human rights. It’s a way to raise Palestinians' voices and demand an end to their suffering. If you believe in these principles, the BDS movement provides a powerful way to take action and make a difference.
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