Global Protests and Boycotts Rise Against Israel’s Actions in Palestine
In recent months, hundreds of thousands of people worldwide have taken to the streets to protest Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza. The protests, which have occurred in over 118 countries and territories, have been fueled by growing outrage over the high death toll, particularly among children. According to the Armed Conflict Location & Events Data Project, at least 7,283 pro-Palestine protests have taken place from October 7 to November 24. Additionally, many individuals have chosen to express their condemnation through targeted boycotts of products and services that support Israel, leading to a resurgence in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
In the United States, students at Columbia University have faced intimidation and censorship for speaking out against Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Daria Mateescu, a law student and leader of the Columbia University Apartheid Divest student group, highlights the importance of the issue, stating, “I think being at a school at Columbia that has so much global power, I felt the need to act. And also, I just think that this issue is one that connects so many other ones where we see police violence, settler colonialism, these issues that are so important in America as well.” Mateescu and her peers are calling for divestment from Columbia’s Tel Aviv campus, reaffirmation of free speech, and the reinstatement of two suspended student groups.
Similar actions are taking place in the United Kingdom, where students at the University of York have been holding events to raise awareness about the situation in Palestine. However, some students have faced backlash for publicly supporting Palestine and have chosen to remain anonymous. They believe it is their duty to uplift voices that are not being heard and are taking small actions, such as boycotting certain brands, to ensure less money is directed towards violence.
The BDS movement, established in 2005, aims to challenge international support for what it calls Israeli apartheid and settler colonialism. Inspired by movements such as the South African anti-apartheid struggle, the US civil rights movement, and the Indian anti-colonial struggle, BDS focuses on consumer boycotts, divestments, and pressure campaigns to hold companies accountable for their complicity in Israeli policies against Palestinians. While BDS has been banned on many US and Canadian campuses and in several US states, it has seen renewed global interest.
Omar Barghouti, one of the BDS co-founders, acknowledges that Israel has dedicated a full government ministry to fight against the movement. However, he believes that the current global outrage can be channeled into strategic campaigns that cut complicity in Israeli crimes. The United Nations Human Rights Office has also published a list of 112 business entities with ties to Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law. Amnesty International emphasizes that complicity in war crimes is an offense for which individuals, including business directors and managers, can be held criminally liable.
The impact of the boycotts is being felt by Western brands, particularly those perceived to be pro-Israel. Many locally owned franchises have distanced themselves from the actions taken by their Israeli counterparts. However, some business owners fear the economic damage and unemployment that the boycotts could cause.
Individuals who participate in the boycotts have their own unique motivations. A’siah Abdalah, a Christian Palestinian, feels a personal connection to the cause and has been boycotting certain brands since before October 7. She emphasizes the importance of checking the official BDS site for accurate information about the boycotts. Koda Sokol, a descendant of Holocaust survivors and a member of Jewish Voice for Peace, recounts his journey from compulsory Zionism to anti-Zionist organizing. He believes that boycotts and other actions are necessary to exercise power and mobilize people in overwhelming situations.
In conclusion, the global protests and boycotts against Israel’s actions in Palestine have gained momentum in recent months. People from various countries and backgrounds are expressing their outrage and demanding accountability through demonstrations and targeted boycotts. The BDS movement, despite facing bans in certain areas, continues to challenge international support for Israeli policies. The impact of these actions is being felt by Western brands, and individuals participating in the boycotts have their own personal motivations. As the movement grows, there is hope for strategic campaigns that can cut complicity in Israeli crimes and bring about change.
