Palestinian grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign www.stopthewall.org June 2007

Towards a Global Movement for Palestine:

A framework for today’s anti-apartheid activism

Contents

• Introduction … p.1 • What are BDS? … p.1 • Legacies of BDS: Activism and Apartheid South Africa … p.3 • Lessons learned: The Arab League Boycott … p.5 • Resurrecting Boycott as a Tool for Change … p. 8 • Challenges Ahead … p.9 • How can a boycott work? – Tackling key economic sectors … p.11 • Conclusion - Where Next in Building Unity for a Global Movement? … p. 13

A guide for Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions

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lished in 2007, containing further Introduction detail and referencing. With the Boycotts, Divestment and Sanc- aim of supporting grassroots cam- tions (BDS) have gained currency in paigners, the study comes at a time recent years as a series of strate- when BDS solidarity has the poten- gies used to pressure Israel in the tial to grow into a truly global pursuit of justice for Palestinians. movement. Materials, resources Reminiscent of the global anti- and tools – based upon the frame- apartheid movement against South work of the report - are being Africa, various BDS initiatives have constantly added to emerged within a loose coalition of www.bdsmovement.net, an social movements, trade unions, invaluable site for today’s Palestin- churches, civil society groups and ian solidarity. activists. In the infancy of BDS cam- paigns there have been some nota- 1. What are BDS? ble successes. Yet, it is clear that initiatives need to strengthen and A united Palestinian Call for a gain greater popular support if they comprehensive BDS campaign are to be an effective force in sup- against Israel emerged in 2005 and port of Palestinians. has been signed by over 170 Pales- tinian organizations. Importantly We consider the scope for the devel- the signatories represent the three opment of a global BDS movement major components of the Palestin- which can work in accordance with ian people: the refugees in the dias- the goals set out by Palestinians in pora, Palestinians under occupation their calls. We assess the various in the West Bank and Gaza Strip objectives of BDS initiatives and and the subjugated Palestinians who conclude with a framework of hold Israeli citizenship. Their appeal goals, priorities and aims to take for external support invoked spe- such work forwards. The oft-cited cific solidarity strategies, all of model of the international anti- which have historical significance in apartheid movement against South challenging injustice. Africa will be explored to see if it forms a relevant basis for today’s oycotts, at least by name, BDS activism, and what strategies B originate from the experiences may be applied from past cam- of an Irish community in relation to paigns. The Arab League boycott an agent of a British landlord called will also be considered, and what Captain Boycott during the 19th can be learnt from other boycott century. As a means of expressing experiences that stretch back over local grievances held against Boy- half a century. cott, the community successfully isolated the agent and refused to This report is a summary of an deal with him. After he returned to extensive BDS study to be pub- England, the story immortalized his

2 last name and boycott has populace looks for external been used ever since to support in their struggle to describe the collective bring about social or politi- power of a group to ad- cal change. This becomes vance their goals via strate- even more pertinent when gies of ostracism. History the offender depends upon has shown how a variety of external backing in order boycotts can successfully to carry out and perpetu- overcome forms of injus- ate crimes. tice. Today activists and groups have many forms of boycott at their disposal: anctions can be deployed S across a wide array of institu- • Consumer/Payment tions, taking in measures made by • Trade and Embargo local community groups, to munici- • Cultural palities and city councils, to inter- • Academic national forums and bodies. They • Secondary (surrogate) are embodied in the actions taken • Sports to rebuke or inhibit the activities of • Tourist the offender, in ways conducive to

Increasingly in northern-based so- attaining change. Momentum for cieties boycott refers to consumer sanctions tends to begin at a grass- rights and as an important tool of roots level even if implementation often relies upon decision-making protest, exercised through not purchasing the products of an of- bodies which have some claim to fending country, company or insti- representation. The phenomenon tution. In other parts of the world, of “peoples sanctions” developed boycotts remain one direct mecha- by the anti-apartheid movement referred to the success of cam- nism to ensure the attainment of basic rights and services (such as paigns that called for and suc- ceeded in ensuring mechanisms of over rents, electricity and water). Boycott calls can also be made in pressure were put upon South Af- situations where an oppressed rica. In some instances sanctions institutionalize the boycotts pro- moted by grassroots campaigns.

At a higher level, sanctions are im- plemented by governments (local and national), associations such as the EU or NAM, or global agencies such as the UN or WTO. It can be argued they reinforce the strength and legitimacy of powerful actors, many of whom have questionable commitment to human rights and

3 social justice. However, making demands on these bodies also en- sures that powerful states and global institutions face up to their responsibilities regarding such rights and international law. Moreover, a strong movement advocating sanc- tions can stimulate consciousness- raising amongst the public and adds an important element of moral pressure to campaign work gener- ally, even if the sanctions them- 2. Legacies of BDS: selves are not always attained. In Activism and Apartheid recent years sanctions campaigns South Africa have emphasized various forms: South African history has en- • Diplomatic shrined boycotts, divestment and • Military/Arms sanctions as invaluable tools in • Economic/Trade combating oppression and injustice. • Oil/Energy How they were deployed can yield

ivestment was first used in important lessons for a BDS move- D the 1950's as a way to de- ment today, and are also relevant scribe the stripping away of eco- given the parallels drawn between nomic investments as a mechanism Israel and apartheid South Africa in of protest and pressure. Today it is public opinion and academia. How- referred to as the process in which ever, their effectiveness and contri- an individual, group or institution bution to the South African strug- disposes of its stocks and shares gle requires consideration if cur- within a business or holding. rent campaigns are to emulate pre- vious solidarity. In solidarity work, divestment is While resistance to white rule pre- similar to sanctions in that it can ceded the struggle against the rely upon securing certain actions apartheid system introduced from by others (in this instance, share- 1948, it was not until the late 1950s holders or companies withdrawing that appeals for BDS emerged and investments). However, a variety of solidarity campaigns were launched. institutions exist in which individu- Early studies recognized that the als and constituents hold consider- South African economy was vulner- able stake and influence (churches, able to external pressure and cam- unions, universities, pension funds), paigns were organized around im- and which hold great potential for posing sanctions on the regime (oil, BDS campaigns. diplomatic and military), as well as

developing boycotts against key

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South African exports (agriculture, tional and support-building activi- coal). In other parts of the world, ties: distributing fliers and pam- especially in states directly opposed phlets, getting endorsements from to recognition of racist South Af- community leaders, showing films, rica, boycotts were promoted in sponsoring conferences and orga- sports, the arts and culture. nizing speaking engagements with black South Africans and Americans In Europe in 1963, Danish dockers with knowledge on southern Africa, set an important precedent when submitting newspaper articles, hold- they refused to unload a shipment ing cultural and social of South African goods. events, doing research on Dockers in Sweden also Connecticut investments refused to unload the and obtaining support and cargo and later that year endorsements from or- governing parties in Scandi- ganizations around the navia jointly proposed a state. Out of the relatively resolution advocating eco- small group emerged a nomic sanctions on South lobby powerful enough to Africa. It revealed how influence wider changes at initiatives taken on the a state level, symptomatic ground could pressure or of the success of outreach influence those with politi- programmes across the cal power. country.

By the 1970s activists advo- The NAM and the UN cated that apartheid could became more vocal in their not survive without the condemnation of the re- external assistance which gime and South Africa was fuelling the economy emerged in the 1980s as an and entrenching a system of racial increasingly isolated pariah state. capital based upon the exploitation Nevertheless, western governments of black labour. Divestment activity and companies maintained their emerged on US university and col- economic ties with the regime. lege campuses and in city and town Western leaders claimed that apart- councils, targeting any companies heid could be reformed, while banks with links to the regime. Typically with strong interests in South Africa solidarity was driven by committed (such as Barclays) stated that grassroots activists. The Connecti- “economic ties and investment” cut Anti-Apartheid Committee were “the only viable instruments of (CAAC) formed in August 1978 peaceful change.” However, South had a nucleus of between six and Africa’s internal resistance rejected ten people on the steering commit- anything other than overthrowing tee for the first 18 months. They apartheid and by the mid-1980s undertook a wide range of educa- brought the country to a point

5 where many predicted the regime’s the climate in which domestic imminent collapse. Internal uprising South African capital considered was complemented by BDS meas- the possible transition to black ures in the rest of the world which majority rule. in turn catalyzed popular rhetorical support for the liberation struggle. There are numerous contesting Trade unions, church groups, pen- accounts of the final demise of the sion fund holders, town councils regime, but most are unanimous and universities were all instrumen- that BDS strategies in one shape or tal in this process and their actions form contributed in the struggle to spurred a greater collapse of confi- end apartheid. However, the re- dence in the regime at another gime did to some extent, consoli- level, taking in banks and govern- date its financial position after ments. 1985, leading many to value the sus- By 1985 the South tained symbolic African economy and psychological was in serious impact of BDS difficulty, owing initiatives just as western financial much as the eco- institutions $24 nomic impact they billion, $14 billion achieved. Upon of which was closer inspection, short-term debt. The declaration of even some the most celebrated a state of emergency in June 1985 victories of divestment revealed added to the pressure and Ameri- continued trade and links below the can banks refused to rollover loans surface. At least 46 US firms that and demanded their capital back. had pulled out of South Africa from European banks followed suit. As 1984 were later found to be licens- the Rand plummeted on foreign ing technology to former subsidiar- exchange markets, South Africa ies or held distribution and franchise responded by freezing all repay- agreements with South African ment, followed on 1 September firms. One Israeli subsidiary of US with the declaration of a debt corporation Motorola, continued to standstill. A year later in Novem- do business in South Africa after the ber, after a decade of high-profile parent company had officially pulled campaigning, Barclays announced out and gained considerable praise it’s withdrawal from South Africa, for divesting its holdings. shattering the myths it propagated of economic ties bringing peaceful While solidarity work in support of change. Sports, cultural and tourist South Africans created a legacy for boycotts were equally important in BDS campaigns, it is important to breaking the morale of the regime highlight that BDS formed one and its backers, helping to facilitate means of challenging injustices. It assisted rather than directed the

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liberation struggle, which was led companies was developed and main- first and foremost by the internal tained, working alongside national resistance. lists.

Typically, companies would receive 3. Lessons Learned: a request to end business relations The Arab LeagueLeague Boycott and ties with Israel, threatening their addition to the blacklist if they If South Africa is the oft-cited did not take steps to rectify their model of current solidarity activi- activities. This met with mixed suc- ties, the boycott of Israel by the cess, with some companies acquies- Arab League receives little mention cent, and others openly challenging despite the wealth of experiences and defying the boycott. On occa- of a movement which had a far- sion League members continued reaching influence during its peak in business relationships with black- the 1970s. Anti-Zionist boycotts listed companies, weakening the had already been initiated before boycott’s influence. Nevertheless, it the Israeli state had come into be- became standardized practice in ing. These were begun in protest at business dealings between League the presence of the Zionist move- countries and a third party for as- ment in Palestine, which other surances that no part of the trans- states in the region perceived as an action included merchandise, tech- external and colonial threat. nology or input from Israel. In many cases this took on an auto- In 1948, the League banned all com- matic function, with companies mercial and financial transactions ensuring they had no official ties between Israel and its member states and links with Israel to avoid being and developed three mechanisms of targeted. boycott. A primary boycott prohib- ited direct trade and relations be- In the first decades of the boycott, tween Israel and the League states, a attempts to suppress its impact secondary boycott was directed at relied upon the efforts of Israel’s companies that did business with external supporters, an anti- Israel and the third tier of boycott boycott office in Tel Aviv, as well as blacklisted firms that traded with secret or third party trade. Pro- other companies carrying out busi- Israeli groups established mecha- ness with Israel, or which maintained nisms of pressure on companies to Israeli capital. A central boycott office maintain or create trade with Is- (CBO) was established, alongside rael, largely relying upon exposure national offices, and over the next of the boycott as a means by which two decades they accumulated de- to garner public support. In a cli- tailed information on Israel’s eco- mate where there was little under- nomic activities, efforts to ensure standing or sympathy for the targeted firms and countries acceded League boycott in the west – whe- to the boycott. A central blacklist of

7 re Israel carried out the majority of more than those which get black- its trade – exposure of the issue listed, have complied with the Israel formed the major weapon of anti- boycott regulations when their boycott activists. This task was attention was drawn to the subject often made easier in that the Lea- and its consequences.” Moreover, gue had little in the way of outre- significant companies acceding to ach activities to promote the rea- the terms of the boycott came sons and rationale for the boycott from the US and Western Europe, and which sought acquiescence to from countries with the strongest its terms via economic coercion. historical links with Israel.

Attempts to publicly shame compa- The backlash against the boycott nies known or thought to be ac- saw US Congress enact amend- ceding to the boycott were made ments to the Export Administra- alongside accusations of anti- tion Act in 1977, to prohibit com- Semitism and of cynicism for engag- panies from cooperating with the ing in the boycott under the moti- League’s demands. What the vation of profits and markets in the change in US laws did not prevent League states. Nevertheless, the was continued cooperation boycott stepped up after the 1973 amongst American firms with the war with League countries using League states, particularly in the their oil resources as a further immediate years following the legis- means to extend their influence. By lation. On average in the early 1976, 2,200 companies in the US 1980s, 50 businesses per year were reported over 97,000 transactions fined for cooperation with boycott. with boycott conditions or require- Despite the threat and implementa- ments. Britain’s largest food can tion of fines, some American com- company, Metal Box, was one typi- panies preferred to pay fines rather cal example of the boycott’s influ- than endanger the loss of business ence when it divested from its 27% with League states. equity share in the Israel Can Com- pany in 1977 so as not to lose im- The decline of the boycott in the portant sales in Saudi Arabia and 1980s was a reflection of the splits Kuwait. The Wall Street Journal in pan-Arab co-operation and noted in December of 1974 how growing regional disunity. It also individuals and businesses estab- stemmed from the numerous occa- lished their own boycott rules that sions when League states continued were much tighter than the official to trade with blacklisted companies, boycott and that “to be on the safe in line with sovereign or elite inter- side they lean far over to be ests and to the detriment of boy- friendly to Arabs even if this means cott unity. Egypt’s treaty with Israel being overtly unfriendly to Israel.” in 1978 had already sharpened the Amer Sharif’s study of the boycott regional fractures and as pan-Arab in 1970 noted: “Many companies, cooperation declined the boycott gradually relaxed from the early

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1980’s. Many companies that had of companies and businesses across previously stayed out of the Israeli the globe. At the same time boy- market began to invest including cott experiences suggest that trans- Toyota and Nestlé. The Oslo Ac- forming economic success into con- cords and normalization appeared crete political and social changes to land a final blow to the boycott, requires key characteristics which and today bar a few exceptions, were lacking in the League boycott. trade and links with Israel are de- Public relations and media cam- veloping across the Middle East. paigns; an open and transparent movement; accessibility of the cam- Estimates of the yearly loss to Is- paign to the wider public and a raeli GDP as a result of the boycott clear set of aims and objectives have fluctuated from 3 to 10%. In were all missing in the League’s 1993, then President of the Israeli work. Added to this was the ab- Chambers of Commerce Danny sence of civil society input into the Gillerman along with analyst Danny working of the boycott, despite the Lipkin estimated the financial loss groundswell of regional grassroots to Israel since 1950 at somewhere popular support for Palestine. between $45 and $49 billion, while the Syrian boycott office has esti- mated anything up to $90 billion covering the period until 1999. With or without the boycott, Israel would have engaged in a concerted effort to develop key sectors of its economy, but it is clear such devel- opment would have been more favourable without the impediment of the boycott. 4. Resurrecting Discussion of the boycott is made Boycott as a Tool for problematic in that it was pursued by various states which took on Change increasingly authoritarian traits The Oslo Process and normalization within domestic policies and issues, transformed the dynamics of the leaving them with little legitimacy liberation struggle as important ele- and recourse to a moral dialogue. ments in the PLO entered the struc- However, the history of the boy- tures of the PNA. While endless cott reveals the potential for BDS negotiations failed to bring about any campaigns today to achieve a real of the Palestinian objectives, the impact. It shows how building unity PNA became absorbed with the and consensus in a movement can tasks of day-to-day administration yield successes and fundamentally over the disparate Bantustans of the that divestment and boycott can be West Bank and Gaza Strip (WBGS). institutionalized into the operations

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The second intifada provided the Israel’s occupation and colonization catalyst for a renewal in global soli- of the 1967 areas. These do not darity work and the revitalization usually include ending discrimina- of ties with social movements and tion against Palestinians under Is- civil society organizations. BDS raeli rule since 1948, or the right of strategies against Israel took on return for Palestinian refugees. In- increasing resonance, receiving deed, campaigns can be influenced popular support across the Middle by the Israeli “peace” lobby which East, Asia and in solidarity groups sees the ‘67 occupation as the issue in the west. to overcome, but does not con- sider the right of return as an ac- The BDS call of 2005 was quick to ceptable platform for BDS work. spread on a global level and came This is clearly at odds with the Pal- as an important development in estinian position in which the oppo- forging a common position from sition to Zionism as an ideology which to base solidarity relations forms the major impetus for the with the rest of the world. These struggle. The rhetoric of other had core goals which guided the campaigns – notably from South vision of BDS work: Africans who struggled against • Ending its [Israel’s] occupation apartheid – view BDS work as the and colonization of all Arab lands means by which to challenge and dismantling the Wall; “Israeli apartheid”. Such similarities • Recognizing the fundamental between Israel and South Africa as rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens apartheid states have been compre- of Israel to full equality; and hensively detailed. A wide range of • Respecting, protecting and pro- today’s BDS initiatives are moti- moting the rights of Palestinian refu- vated by the recognition of the gees to return to their homes and rights of all Palestinians and are properties as stipulated in UN reso- based upon anti-racist or anti- lution 194. apartheid frameworks.

In Palestine where colonial and External solidarity groups differ in post-colonial dynamics are still un- the emphasis taken towards influ- ravelling, external solidarity move- encing social and political change. ments need to be responsive to the All BDS campaigns agree on the calls of the oppressed and ensure need for some kind of collective that relationships are not charac- action to put pressure on Israel, terized by external organizations but there is not a consensus as to becoming the dominant partner. the goals driving the appeal. For Finding commonalities with Pales- example, NGOs and faith-based tinian civil society organizations organizations in Europe and North that are accountable to the people, America have backed and/or begun and using their popular appeals as a various initiatives that tend to focus basis, can reflect the ideals forming only on the urgent need to end

10 the basis of solidarity assistance to dependent upon) foreign invest- an oppressed people. Moreover, ments. Israel has strong export for Palestinians, re-establishing links markets which are reliant upon with other oppressed peoples in four interlinked core sectors: tech- the global south can be a source of nology, Research and Development inspiration and unity in challenging (R&D), diamonds, and arms. In ad- injustice. dition, it has received approxi- mately $3 billion in aid per year from the US since the mid-1980s. 5. Challenges Ahead Israel began to implement policies of Successful BDS campaigns are built trade liberalization in the early upon diligent and detailed research 1990s, setting the country on a tra- which can guide the jectory of privatization efforts of activists in which continues today. their outreach work, Yet the economy re- and in which the dis- tains a duality in semination of such state/private activities, information to a net- ensuring apartheid and work of solidarity occupation policies go movements is vital. hand-in-hand with neo- Challenging and oppos- liberalism. Many busi- ing Israeli crimes re- ness and economic quires the presentation practices are integrated of clear and easily iden- into Israeli “security” tifiable means by which objectives and are fur- people get involved in ther interwoven into campaign work. Outlining the na- wider circles of capital and invest- ture of the Israeli policies and the ment. Israel in 2007 has a highly- overall Israeli economy presents diversified economy, driven via opportunities for BDS work to transnational accumulation and par- develop effective mechanisms of ticularly sensitive to the fusion of pressure. local capital into the global circuits of ownership. While it shares R&D In 1949 fruit juices and citrus fruits projects with a host of countries, accounted for 67% of Israeli ex- the US is the major player in buying ports. Almost sixty years on, the into the Israeli economy. Israeli in- Israeli economy has been totally vestments are also strong in the US transformed from settler based and Western Europe, but are in- agrarian production to a high-tech, creasingly represented in the ex- highly diversified economy. Today, eastern bloc and Africa, specifically Israel is viewed as the technological in construction, diamonds and arms. and industrial powerhouse of the Middle East, and as one of the most Israeli export markets (bar dia- attractive markets for (and which is monds) are predominantly depend-

11 ent upon the EU and the US (33% finds its way into the everyday con- and 28% respectively). However, sumer goods manufactured in emerging markets in Asia and the countries across the world and the Middle East have meant that trade deep integration of the economy in these regions has steadily in- into high-tech markets causes obvi- creased over the last decade. Lack- ous problems in sourcing Israeli ing in many natural resources, Is- components and products. rael is dependent upon imports of The high-tech sector currently ac- petroleum, coal, food and raw ma- counts for 33% of Israel’s total ex- terials. It also relies on other coun- ports. Over the last two decades, a tries (notably the US and Germany) significant transformation has for the transfer of advanced mili- shifted the emphasis of business tary equipment which it is unable activity into the field of computers, to manufacture internally. In terms software and electronics; commu- of imports, figures show (excluding nications; biotechnology; medical, diamonds) that 56.5% arrive from agricultural and scientific equip- the EU or US which means (in light ment; and advanced weapon and of the African diamond market) military defence systems. Technol- that Israel is dependent upon a ogy plays a significant part in pro- significant proportion of imports duction across nearly all sectors of from the rest of the world. Israel's the economy. energy imports (various types of The Ministry of Finance has sug- crude oil) have risen by 42% over gested that after Sweden, Israel the past four years, from $3.1 to spends more on the R&D sector $4.5 billion, of which Russia ac- than any other country. However counted for a third. the government keeps aspects of R&D programmes confidential, 6. How can a boycott specifically the military sector work? - Tackling key which has been estimated to usurp economic sectors 2% of GDP. Israel’s overall R&D expenditure is thus considered to “Israel enjoys the highest concen- be 4.3% of GDP – 85% above the tration of high-tech companies out- OECD average, and 30% more than side of the Silicon Valley.” Sweden. It has various incentives in Robert Greifeld President & CEO NASDAQ place to boost the R&D sector, 2004 which grew out of the Oslo agree-

Almost every major multinational is ments as a financial and cooperative involved or linked into the Israeli enticement from the global com- munity for the “peace process”. economy which has evolved from settler-based agriculture to a cen- Yet despite the transnational na- tre of transnational investment in ture of the economy, various op- high-tech industries, manufacturing portunities exist for extending an and research. Israeli technology effective boycott. Israeli companies

12 can lose their competitive edge in a gem diamonds, and plays a key role climate where divestment initiatives in the overall control of the trade. target selective companies holding Moreover, Israeli dealers have been key or symbolic interests in the linked to conflict or blood dia- economy. Campaigns against the monds in Africa where virtually all R&D sector – and the joint pro- the unpolished diamonds that enter grammes held with over 20 differ- Israel are sourced. The industry ent countries – form another tar- makes up a vast contribution to the get for BDS work in ending the economy and is interwoven into external cooperation the oppression not and funding for Israeli just of Palestinians, growth and production. but also of the Afri- cans who own the Moreover, technology raw resources. Like is built into a handful of South African coal core economic indus- and food exports tries which form viable were key characteris- targets for BDS cam- tics of the export paigns. One of these economy and later central markets is that subject to embargo of diamond processing. and boycott, Israeli

Israeli diamonds diamonds have the potential to be the Diamonds make up a focus of an interna- massive 28% of Israeli tional campaign. exports and Tel Aviv is the hub of a trade with extensive moral and Arms Exports – Sustaining Oc- cupation, Fuelling Conflict ethical implications. In 2005 Israel’s diamond industry ended the year Israel is one of the world's major with growth in all areas of activity, exporters of military equipment. By maintaining its position as the the 1980s Israel joined the top ten world manufacturing and trading countries of the world in military centre for polished and rough dia- production and by 2000 officially monds. Diamond exports broke, recorded exports reached a new for the first time, the $10 billion high of over $2.49bn. In 2004, offi- threshold. Net polished exports in cial figures showed Israel’s sale of 2005 rose 5.8% to reach an all time armaments to “developing” coun- high of $6.707 billion, compared to tries amounted to US $1.2 billion. $6.337 billion in 2004. Rough dia- However, unreported clandestine mond exports from Israel rose deals could mean that this figure 20.5% in 2005 to reach $3.517 bil- does not represent the full extent of lion, up from $2.920 billion in 2004. arms exports. Israel processes about 75% of the annual production of higher-value Israel has a long history of aggres-

13 sively marketing weapons in the gies with specific campaigns can rest of the world, as well arming a bring in the wider audience and variety of dictators, juntas, factions conditions needed for a broad anti- in civil wars and regimes well apartheid movement to take root. known for systematic human rights Campaigns on the arms trade and abuses. Israel has also taken on the diamonds have been highlighted, mantle of a major subcontractor but other forms of boycott can and broker for US arms to the de- have both symbolic and economic veloping world. value. The question of BDS should not solely be judged on its eco- Only around a quarter of current nomic efficacy, but rather the role Israeli production in the military it plays in educating people about sector is produced for the internal the real ties that exist between market. Consequently, Israel, con- their every day existence and Israeli trary to the norm of large arms apartheid and occupation. producing countries (such as the Produce symbolic for its origins in US), gears production towards the Israeli economy (e.g. fruit, cut external markets to bring in vital flowers) form a useful basis for cash flows for the economy, per- BDS work alongside the boycott of petuating conflicts, mini arms races goods which make a fundamental and violence. contribution to the economy (e.g. technology deployed in cell 7. Conclusion - Where phones). Campaigns around “soft” Next in Building Unity for targets that centre upon the most a Global Movement? abhorrent and illegal Israeli prac- tices are useful starting points for

BDS work. Consumer boycotts and ‘Don’t doubt the damage of the sanc- divestment campaigns can look to tions fight, devastating, them boycotts be more encompassing once BDS bite work is accepted and established as The more we know the more we can the prime focus of solidarity work. do, so get on down, it’s up to you Don’t mess, don’t wait, don’t hesitate, However, symbolic and start up do your thing boycott campaigns on economic Hit the Apartheid State, cos’ the little production directly linked to the bit more occupation of the 1967 areas, can- That we take away, the little bit closer not alone challenge the main facets To the VICTORY day - AMANDLA!’ of Israeli occupation and apartheid. - From London Anti-Apartheid News, Companies with obvious complicity Summer (1989) in Israeli apartheid such as Caterpil- lar and Veolia form the starting Historically, boycotts show that in point for a broader campaign as order to be effective the public much as companies supporting the cannot be overwhelmed with tar- Israeli military or the continued gets and goals. Developing strate-

14 discrimination against Palestinians movement, people’s sanctions can with Israeli citizenship. That invest- look to local councils and other ment in Israel represents investment community decision-making bodies in a system of occupation, injustice to adopt progressive legislation and and apartheid must be reinforced as positions. the basis for campaigning. Aside from forms of economic boy- Boycott and buycott lists will need cott, a variety of other initiatives to be managed in democratic and are at the disposal of campaigners, transparent ways in a solidarity and have already emerged in acade- movement which can develop the mia, sports, culture and trade un- mechanisms by which to coordi- ionism. These can have a powerful nate serious research in the sourc- impact on Israeli society as a ing of Israeli production and in its whole, sending a clear message that outreach work. Institutions and occupation and apartheid will no groups could pass boycott resolu- longer be accepted in the rest of tions, which include mandates to the world. investigate the levels of trade pur- sued with Israel and share such data amongst activists on a global level. Campaigners can as well tar- get a series of intergovernmental bodies – from the UN to the NAM – and their monitoring and report- ing commissions to take up the valuable task of research. Calling those bodies to responsibility leads the way into sanctions campaigns Yet while Palestine BDS work has within these organizations. already become established by vari- ous campaigns, the lack of a com- mon discourse or framework has left initiatives isolated or in the pur- suit of different aims. Binding efforts together requires common refer- ence to the 2005 Boycott Call and a realization amongst solidarity move- Sanctions campaigns can look to ments that BDS is meant as a strat- annul Free Trade Agreements egy of support for all Palestinians (FTAs) and other preferential agree- struggling for liberation. For those ments with Israel, sever diplomatic movements unable or unwilling to ties and maintain arms embargoes, adopt this position, particularly in until more comprehensive measures the US and parts of Europe, their can be put in place. As we see from contribution can assist BDS initia- the South African anti-apartheid tives but should not come at the

15 expense of subverting the calls and essary from civil society and move- appeals of Palestinians. ments in Palestine with the rest of The opening of new historical nar- the world. BDS movements, no ratives, finally revealing the full sub- matter how powerful, cannot and jugation and horror experienced by should not look to replace the re- the Palestinian people as a result of sistance and struggle of those peo- Zionism, is making new waves in ple they are trying to support. They global discourse and perceptions. can, under the right circumstances, Part of this is the achievement of make a positive and proactive con- solidarity work which has already tribution in supporting the attain- influenced popular opinion as well ment of human rights for others as the “opinion makers”. Personali- and for securing long-term justice. ties such as UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights John Dugard and Detailed references for the quotes and even ex-US president Jimmy information contained in this work as Carter, are clearly raising the pro- well as the source and context of the file and discussion of Israeli apart- photos can be found in the longer heid and hence the need for a version of the report to be published strong and effective BDS campaign. soon or obtained from However, BDS campaigners need [email protected] to be aware of the constraints or Front page painting: Dora McPhee. underlying interests of opinion makers and ensure that communi- cation with Palestine remains the pillar on which global solidarity needs to be anchored. BDS styled campaigns can achieve great heights in taking this further and in working for a lasting and genuine peace, but should be aware that external groups are not the ones to define the political and social objectives of the work. In maintaining an aware- ness of these dynamics, continual dialogue and communication is nec-

Palestinian grassroots Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign www.stopthewall.org [email protected] Supported by: Tel: +970-222971505 Fax:+970-22975123 Ramallah, Palestine