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The London School of Economics and Political Science the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement

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The London School of Economics and Political Science the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement The London School of Economics and Political Science The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement: Activism Across Borders for Palestinian Justice Suzanne Morrison A thesis submitted to the Department of Government of the London School of Economics for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, London, October 2015 1 Declaration I certify that the thesis I have presented for examination for the MPhil/PhD degree of the London School of Economics and Political Science is solely my own work other than where I have clearly indicated that it is the work of others (in which case the extent of any work carried out jointly by me and any other person is clearly identified in it). The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. Quotation from it is permitted, provided that full acknowledgement is made. This thesis may not be reproduced without my prior written consent. I warrant that this authorisation does not, to the best of my belief, infringe the rights of any third party. I declare that my thesis consists of 75,359 words. 2 Abstract On 7 July 2005, a global call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) was declared to people around the world to enact boycott initiatives and pressure their respective governments to sanction Israel until it complies with international law and respects universal principles of human rights. The call was endorsed by over 170 Palestinian associations, trade unions, non-governmental organizations, charities, and other Palestinian groups. The call mentioned how broad BDS campaigns were utilized in the South African struggle against apartheid, and how these efforts served as an inspiration to those seeking justice for Palestinians. The call stated that boycott measures should be carried out until three demands are met – that Israel end the occupation of Arab lands, end discrimination against Palestinian citizens in Israel, and respect the Palestinian right of return. This study explores the causes for the BDS movement, its organizational dynamics, and the potential outcomes the movement intends to gain through border- crossing solidarity groups and networks. Research questions guiding this investigation have been: What causal conditions have led to the emergence of the movement? How is the movement similar and/or dissimilar to other forms of challenging Israel? How is the BDS movement organized across borders, and how are local campaigns within the movement operationalized? This thesis is comprised of three sections that include a historical background, case study chapters on BDS campaigns, and a final section that analyzes the movement’s structure and processes, its connection to global justice activism, and challenges and limitations of the movement. Thus, this thesis critically investigates the BDS movement through its operationalization across borders and argues that due to its scope, organizational structure, and collective action frames, the 3 transnational movement represents a new and different approach to challenging Israel in the Palestinian struggle for justice. 4 For Qais 5 AKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank all those that assisted me throughout the process of researching and writing this thesis. I am especially grateful to my thesis supervisor John Chalcraft, who constantly supported my work and pushed my analytical thinking in critical ways throughout the project. This thesis would not have been possible without the generous support of the Department of Government at the London School of Economics. Funding from the Council for British Relations in the Levant and local support in Israel/Palestine at the Kenyon Institute helped me during fieldwork. During the writing stages, I was assisted by the Emirates PhD Scholarship through the Middle East Centre at the London School of Economics. I am also thankful to Birzeit University for hosting me while in Palestine. I am incredibly thankful for all the Palestinian and solidarity activists that are too numerous to name here, who took time to meet with me for interviews or participate in my survey on the BDS movement. Their generosity, sincerity, and dedication provided valuable insights during the research process and inspires my future work. To all my family and friends that have encouraged me throughout the research project, I am very grateful. Finally, I wish to thank my husband Trent, whose endless love, support, and encouragement continues to guide me throughout life. 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 11 Research Questions 12 Review of the Literature 13 Theoretical Framework 35 Methods for Researching the BDS Movement 41 Thesis Outline 48 PART I: Historical Background Chapter 1 – Emergence of the BDS Movement 50 Introduction 1.1 Challenging Israel in a Historical Context 52 1.2 The Rise of BDS I: Political Constraints and Opportunities 72 1.3 The Rise of BDS II: Mobilizing Dynamics 80 Conclusion PART II: BDS Campaign Case Studies Chapter 2 – BDS Movement Case Study: The Academic Boycott in Britain 102 Introduction 2.1 Background of Institutions of Higher Education in Israel and the Academic Boycott in Britain 103 2.2 Groups Involved in the Academic Boycott in Britain 106 2.3 Organizational Dynamics of the Academic Boycott in Britain 108 2.4 Significance of the Academic Boycott in Britain 114 2.5 Dynamics between Campaigners of Academic Boycott in Britain and Opponents 117 2.6 Analyzing the Case of the Academic Boycott in Britain 120 Conclusion Chapter 3 – BDS Movement Case Study: The We Divest Campaign 125 Introduction 3.1 Background of TIAA-CREF and the We Divest Campaign 126 3.2 Groups Involved in the We Divest Campaign 131 3.3 Organizational Dynamics of the We Divest Campaign 137 3.4 Significance of the We Divest Case 142 3.5 Dynamics Between We Divest Campaigners and Opponents 145 3.6 Analyzing the Case of the We Divest Campaign 148 Conclusion 7 Chapter 4 – BDS Movement Case Study: Consumer Boycotts of Ahava Dead Sea Products 154 Introduction 4.1 Background of Ahava and BDS Campaigns against Ahava 155 4.2 Groups Involved in BDS Campaigns against Ahava 159 4.3 Organizational Dynamics of BDS Campaigns against Ahava 161 4.4 Significance of Consumer Boycotts against Ahava 173 4.5 Dynamics between Campaigners and Opponents 175 4.6 Analyzing the Case of BDS Campaigns against Ahava 178 Conclusion PART III: Organizational Dynamics of the BDS Movement Chapter 5 – BDS Movement Structure and Processes 183 Introduction 5.1 The Palestinian Boycott National Committee and the Question of Leadership 184 5.2 Context Sensitivity and the Role of Local Organizing 190 5.3 Networks and Border-Crossing Coordination 195 Conclusion Chapter 6 – Strategizing Movement Outcomes 207 Introduction 6.1 BDS in a Global Justice Framework 208 6.2 BDS Movement Challenges and Limitations 224 Conclusion Conclusion 234 Appendix I: Palestinian Civil Society Call for BDS 246 Appendix II: BDS Survey 252 Appendix III: Call for Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel 255 Bibliography 257 8 ABBREVIATIONS ACREC – Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (Presbyterian Church USA) AFSC – American Friends Service Committee AUT – Association of University Teachers BDS – Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions BIG – Boycott Israeli Goods BIG – Buy Israeli Goods BIN – Boycott Israel Network BNC – BDS National Committee BRICUP – British Committee for the Universities of Palestine CC – Coordinating Committee (We Divest Campaign) CHE – Council for Higher Education DFLP – Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine GUPW – General Union of Palestinian Workers HBC – Hudson’s Bay Company HRW – Human Rights Watch IAW – Israel Apartheid Week ICJ – International Court of Justice J-BIG – Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods JVP – Jewish Voice for Peace MSCI – Morgan Stanley Capital International MSCI ESG – Morgan Stanley Capital International Environmental, Social, and Governance NATFHE – National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education NEC – National Executive Committee NGO – Non-governmental organization NLG – National Lawyers Guild PA or PNA – Palestinian (National) Authority PACBI – Palestinian Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel PASSIA – Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs PFLP – Palestinian Front for the Liberation of Palestine PLO – Palestinian Liberation Organization PSC – Palestine Solidarity Committee PTUC-BDS – Palestinian Trade Union Coalition for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions SEC – Securities and Exchange Commission SJP – Students for Justice in Palestine SOAS – School for Oriental and African Studies SRI – Socially Responsible Investment SUSTAIN – Stop US Tax-funded Aid to Israel Now! TIAA-CREF – Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association – College Retirement Equities Fund TUC – Trade Union Congress UCU – University and College Union UNLCU – United National Leadership Command of the Uprising USPCN – US Palestinian Community Network 9 VAT – Value Added Tax WCAR – World Conference against Racism, Racial. Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance YMCA – Young Men’s Christian Association YWCA – Yong Women’s Christian Association 10 Introduction On 7 July 2005, a global call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) was declared “against Israel until it complies with international law and universal principles of human rights.”1 Over 170 Palestinian associations, trade unions, Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs), charities, and other Palestinian groups endorsed the call. The call mentioned how broad BDS campaigns were utilized in the South African struggle against apartheid, and how these efforts served as an inspiration
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