Activism and BDS Beat

Human rights groups in Israel are protesting the new Israeli law passed yesterday which “prohibits boycott of businesses, universities, and social and cultural institutions based in Israel and the illegal settlements, and imposes heavy financial sanctions against civil society organizations and businesses that participate in boycotts.”

Following on the heels of punk rock icon Jello Biafra’s last-minute — however reluctant — decision to respect the Palestinian-led call for BDS, Punks Against Apartheid say they’ve just begun their work with the global BDS movement.

The Egyptian Independent Union Federation affirmed solidarity with the Palestinian people and upheld a commitment to “reject any form of normal relations” with Israel, including gas supply agreements that have been in place since Mubarak was empowered.

PACBI, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, released a hard-hitting statement demanding that international artists, performers and academics “refrain from undermining our boycott principles.”