There has been so much information flying around on FB regarding #BDS and frankly its driving me insane. There are a few things I wanted to note: 1) #BDS is not new. The official call was issued in 2005. However, before the current bombing campaign in #Gaza, so many people were reluctant to get involved in the movement. When AMP started the date boycott campaign 2 Ramadans ago, many members of our community did not see the need for it nor the importance of it. Same with the Soda Stream campaign that was backed by various national organizations. Both of these were after Operation Cast Lead (2008-2009). Now, everyone is all gung-ho about #BDS, but in an extreme manner, without truly understanding what the movement means. Are we going to forget again once the situation in Gaza dies down (no pun intended)? 2) The #BDS movement calls for a cultural, academic and consumer boycott of Israel. Consumer is only one branch of it. 3) #BDS is focused on specific campaigns: It makes more sense to focus on optimal targets that are being targeted as part of national or international campaigns. Consumer boycotts are most effective when part of a broader campaign against a particular product or aiming to pressure a retailer to stop selling a particular Israeli product. (from the BDS Movement Website) 4) Not every list you find on the internet regarding a boycott of Israel is accurate. Im not an expert an this issue, but I know that people will definitely not be able to sustain this level of dedication and energy based on my past experience. Thats why we need to mobilize specific campaigns. 5) We can be even more effective on a local level by not patronizing businesses we know contribute to the occupation, like Naf Naf Grill, or businesses that sell the Dead Sea products, etc. Im sure there are more out there that we are unaware of.
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 02:11:39 +0000
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