Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions
Authoritative Palestinian calls for boycott, divestment and sanctions
The overarching, intrusive influence of the Israeli military occupation on every key aspect of Palestinian life has totally undercut the capacity of any Palestinian government to function effectively. A key, enduring barometer of the will of the Palestinian people is found in the calls from grassroots civil society organizations. An overwhelming majority of organizations have endorsed Palestinian civil society's two calls for boycott, divestment and sactions against Israel and for academic and cultural boycott of Israel -- until it ceases to deny Palestinian history, ends the Occupation, ceases discrimination against Palestinian citizens of Israel, and permits displaced Palestinian refugees to return to their homes.
Academic Boycott
While the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip has significantly impacted Palestinians' right to education, Israeli academia has remained conspicuously silent and continues to play a role in the system of oppression. As Israeli Professor Oren Ben-Dor wrote, "The academic boycott is central to starting the process of Israeli self-examination that is a core prerequesite to a resolution of the conflict."
Consumer Boycott
Citizens the world over are also exercising their objection to Israel's occupation by boycotting consumer products originating from Israel or Israeli companies. Activists are also campaigning for Israeli products produced in settlements be labeled as such. Consumer boycott activities have become an increasingly called for means of pressure as elected leaders continue to fail to hold Israel accountable to international law.
Cultural Boycott
Following the lead of the anti-apartheid movement and its boycott of cultural institutions and activities connected to the apartheid system, Palestinian culture-makers are calling for a cultural boycott to communicate to Israel that its occupation and oppression will not be rewarded with normalized relations.
Church Divestment
Like they did during the global movement to end South African apartheid, churches are beginning to call for divestment of church assets from companies that enable Israel to carry out the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Divestment continues to be a matter of fierce debate amongst churches, especially in the US where the Christian Zionist movement continues to swell.
University Divestment
Calls for divesting university investment portfolios from companies that abet Israel's rights violations in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip are also gaining momentum. From Berkeley to Columbia, students and academics throughout the US are calling on their universities to ensure socially responsible investment.
Other Divestment
Divestment is not an option limited to churches and universities. States, cities, unions and banks are also being called on to withdraw their investments from Israel Bonds and corporations and institutions that play a role in the occupation. Though calls for divestment meet with much resistance, they continue to grow louder.
Sanctions
Sanctions, divestment and boycotts are absolutely legitimate means at everyone's disposal for effectively opposing injustice. As penalties, protest, pressure and resistance to policies that violate fundamental human rights, international law and UN resolutions, they are directed at ending a situation of intolerable conflict, suffering and moral wrong-doing, not against a particular people or country. When the injustice ends, the sanctions end.
Related Websites
Non-governmental organizations, activist groups, and other entities that work on the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions issue.
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