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Boycotting Israel: New Pariah on the Block

[Economist-UK] Pro-Israel groups such as NGO Monitor and the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs say a new assault on Israel is on the way. Boycotts, divestments and sanctions (known in the activist world as "BDS") do seem to be growing. Under closer inspection, the boycotts look flimsy. Most of the motions passed have been non-binding recommendations, or instructions to investigate the practicalities of BDS. Activists' votes at conferences may be slapped down by the membership. American Presbyterians, who voted in 2004 to look into divesting from up to five American firms, backed off last year without having removed a dollar. The two British teaching unions merged and voted anew to consider suspending links with Israeli institutions, only to provoke a huge counter-attack by American college presidents. Unlike the African National Congress, which acted as both a moral beacon and an organizer for sanctions, the Palestinian leadership does not support BDS - fearing that it will hurt Palestinians as much as Israelis. The chief difference between the Israeli and South African cases is, however, in the moral sphere. Israel is a robust democracy with vibrant academic freedom. Blaming Israel alone for the impasse in the territories will continue to strike many outsiders as unfair.
2007-09-18 01:00:00
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