(November 9, 2019) Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns have increased by almost one third during the last three years on US college campuses according to the Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC)
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement
Wikipedia describes the BDS movement: "The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (also known as BDS) is a Palestinian-led[1][2][3] campaign promoting various forms of boycott against Israel until it meets what the campaign describes as Israel's obligations under international law,[4] defined as withdrawal from the occupied territories, removal of the separation barrier in the West Bank, full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and "respecting, protecting, and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties".[4] The campaign is organized and coordinated by the Palestinian BDS National Committee.[5]Protests and conferences in support of the campaign have been held in a number of countries. BDS supporters compare the movement to the 20th-century anti-apartheid movement and view their actions similar to the boycotts of South Africa during its apartheid era, comparing the situation in Israel to apartheid.[6][7][8] "
Critics of the movement reject the BDS claim that Israel is an apartheid state arguing that outside of the West Bank Jews and Arabs mix freely, and even live in the same neighborhoods. There is no imposed segregation as in an apartheid state. Critics also accuse the BDS of being antisemitic and compare its tactics to the Nazi boycott of Jewish businesses. Critics also accuse BDS of delegitimization of Israel.
The Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC)
A Wikipedia entry describes the group: "The Israel on Campus Coalition is a pro-Israel umbrella organization founded in 2002 under the auspices of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation and Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life.[1]... ICC describes its mission as "to inspire American college students to see Israel as a source of pride and empower them to stand up for Israel on campus."[1] ICC coordinates groups and students to respond to anti-Israel activism by providing pro-active, pro-Israel information and programs.[2]"
The ICC report
The report claims that interruptions of pro-Israel events increased from 13 in 2013 to 35 the highest figure since the 2011-2012 academic year. The report states: “As the BDS movement has become more established over time, anti-Israel tactics have become increasingly hostile as Israel’s detractors double down on efforts to make campuses inhospitable to Jews and Zionists...
Protracted anti-Israel initiatives created new obstacles for the pro-Israel campus movement. In the months ahead, pro-Israel students and campus professionals face a complex reality on U.S. campuses.”
BDS defends itself
In response the BDS movement claims it is inspired by the campaign that targeted the apartheid regime in South Africa and is seeking to force an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. Accusations of BDS being antisemitic the movement regards as an attempt to discredit them.
The BDS says it advocates peaceful resistance and that its aim is to pressure Israel to follow international law and human rights. BDS lobbies states, institutions, and persons to understand the manner in which Israel oppresses Palestinians urging them to take action to alter Israel's behavior and break ties with Israel until it ceases oppressing Palestinians.. Supporter of BDS have tried to take action to promote Palestinian statehood
The BDS committee is made up of more than 170 Palestinian civil society organizations, unions, plus cultural and rights groups. BDS issued it official call for a boycott in 2005.
Formerly published in the Digital Journal
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