BDS Movement
Accusation: BDS presents itself as a peaceful, nonviolent human rights campaign, like the boycott of apartheid South Africa, aimed at pressuring Israel to respect Palestinian rights.
The Short Answer
BDS, short for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, was launched in 2005 to isolate Israel economically, academically and culturally. Its demand that millions of refugee descendants move into Israel would end the Jewish state, and its co founder Omar Barghouti has said he opposes a Jewish state in any part of the land.
Germany's parliament has called its methods antisemitic.
What BDS Demands
BDS was launched in 2005 by a coalition of Palestinian groups. It makes three demands. The first is to end what it calls the occupation of all Arab lands. The second concerns the rights of Arab citizens of Israel.
The third is the return of all Palestinian refugees and their descendants, some six million people, into Israel. That demand alone would turn Israel into an Arab majority state. Read more: UNRWA and Palestinian Refugees
The Real Goal
BDS leaders have not hidden their aim. Co founder Omar Barghouti has said he opposes a Jewish state in any part of the land. BDS does not call for two states living in peace. It calls for one state without a Jewish homeland.
In 2019 the German Bundestag passed a resolution calling the methods of BDS antisemitic and comparing them to the Nazi era calls not to buy from Jews. More than 30 US states have passed laws against boycotts of Israel.
Israel Is Not South Africa
The boycott of South Africa targeted a regime that denied Black citizens the vote. Israel's Arab citizens vote, sit in the Knesset and serve on the Supreme Court. The comparison is false and insults the real victims of apartheid. Read more: Is Israel an Apartheid State?
Who BDS Really Hurts
When SodaStream moved its factory from Mishor Adumim to the Negev in 2015 and 2016 under BDS pressure, hundreds of Palestinian workers lost good jobs with equal pay and benefits.
BDS also targets Israeli scientists, artists and athletes, including a disabled Israeli veteran who was smeared online for appearing in a sports campaign. It shuts down dialogue instead of building peace.
BDS Has Failed
Despite years of campaigning, Israel's economy and technology sector have kept growing. Global companies such as Intel, Microsoft, Google and Nvidia keep investing in Israel, and Arab countries signed the Abraham Accords in 2020.
Key Facts About BDS
BDS stands for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions and was launched in 2005.
Its demand for a mass return of refugee descendants would end Israel as a Jewish state.
The German Bundestag called BDS methods antisemitic in 2019.
More than 30 US states have passed laws against boycotts of Israel.
BDS pressure cost hundreds of Palestinians their jobs at SodaStream.
How to Respond
Ask BDS supporters whether they accept Israel's right to exist in any borders.
Explain that Israel's Arab citizens have full rights, unlike Black South Africans under apartheid.
Share the story of the Palestinian workers who lost their jobs because of BDS.
Answer the boycott with a buycott: support Israeli products, for example at The Israel Store.
Conclusion
BDS sells itself as human rights activism, but its goal is to erase the world's only Jewish state. Friends of Israel and of real peace should answer it by standing with Israeli businesses, artists and people.