Friday, September 26, 2014

Archbishop Desmond Tutu Weighs In

http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/1.610687

This is one of the more elegant and articulate articles that I have read about the Israeli Occupation, written by Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa. The comparison between South African apartheid and Israeli apartheid is not perfect, but the tactic of Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) is definitely one I support and the simplest and most effective way that internationals can get involved in supporting Palestinians and opposing the Occupation. I'll write a blog post about it later when I have done a bit more research. But, in short, BDS has three parts:

1. Boycott: do not buy products that are made in Israel, or that are exported by Israel. Companies like Caterpillar, for example, provides the bulldozers to illegally demolish Palestinian homes, and even killed an international woman in Gaza who was standing in front of a house to be bulldozed. By refusing to purchase goods that support Israel, you are talking with your money, saying that you don't support the Occupation. This also includes cultural and academic boycotts.

2. Divestment: tries to lobby local organizations (governments, unions, businesses, banks, universities, etc.) to stop investing their money in Israeli banks, companies, stocks, etc. Money speaks, so a huge reduction in investment from abroad would make the Israeli government have to end its policies against Palestinians to regain international support and investment.

3. Sanctions: this comes in many forms, but is often state-to-state. I know the least about this one, so time to research!

Enjoy!


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