What is the BDS movement

What is the BDS movement

Subject: IR

Section: Places in news

Context: An article published in a German newspaper last week accused Indian poet and curator Ranjit Hoskote of “anti-Semitism” and sympathizing with the BDS movement

Some facts about BDS Movement:

• The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, initiated in 2005 by over 170 Palestinian groups, seeks international support for Palestinian rights.
• It is an anti-racist, human rights movement inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement.
• BDS advocates nonviolent pressure on Israel until it aligns with international law, emphasizing three demands:
  • Ending the occupation and colonization of Arab lands,
  • Recognizing the rights of Arab-Palestinian citizens in Israel,
  • Respecting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes as outlined in UN Resolution 194. 
• The resolution, adopted in 1948, addresses the displacement of Palestinian refugees during the Israeli-Arab war, emphasizing the right to return and receive compensation.

How does BDS aim to achieve these goals:

• The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement calls for boycotting Israel’s government, associated institutions, and companies involved in human rights violations.
•  It targets sponsors like Puma for their association with the Israel Football Association, including teams in illegal settlements.
• Divestment campaigns urge entities to withdraw investments, while sanctions campaigns seek government action against Israeli apartheid.
• The movement strategically focuses on selected companies for maximum impact, cautioning against lengthy lists that may be less effective.

What has the Israeli govt said about BDS:

• Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has linked the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement to anti-Semitism, accusing its founders of seeking the end of the Jewish state.
• BDS counters that criticizing Israel’s violations of international law should not be equated with anti-Semitism, emphasizing the right to critique a state’s unjust actions.
• Despite Israeli officials downplaying its threat, the government’s consistent references to BDS have sparked criticism within Israel, with some arguing that officials are inadvertently drawing more attention to the movement.
• U.S. officials, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, have also criticized BDS.

What is the economic impact of BDS:

• In recent years, a few brands and celebrities, including Ben and Jerry’s and Pink Floyd member Roger Waters, have refused to work or perform in Israel, aligning with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
• However, the impact of these scattered efforts on Israel’s economy is challenging to measure, especially considering the longstanding policy of Arab states to boycott Israel.
• BDS acknowledges the entrenched support for Israel but asserts its potential as a powerful tool in ending Western support for Israeli apartheid and settler colonialism.