4 facts that reveal the antisemitism behind BDS

The BDS (Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions) movement parades itself as a humanitarian, fact-based and impartial response to social injustice. In truth it’s a dangerous and misguided ideology fueled by hatred of Israel and the Jewish people. Here are a few facts that reveal the dark spirit of antisemitism lurking beneath the respectable facade of BDS.

Fact 1: BDS seeks the annihilation of Israel

No movement can seriously describe itself as peace-making and reconciliatory if it plots the destruction of one of the parties!

Yet this is exactly what BDS does. The movement tries to appeal to moderates by saying it seeks a Two State Solution and that its economic sanctions only apply to territories beyond the 1967 borders. But it doesn’t take much digging to discover the movement’s real objective: A One State Solution called Palestine.

Here are a few quotes from some of the leaders in the movement:

“The real aim of BDS is to bring down the state of Israel….That should be stated as an unambiguous goal. There should not be any equivocation on the subject. Justice and freedom for the Palestinians are incompatible with the existence of the state of Israel.” – Asad Abukhalil

“Our corporation boycotts all Israeli products and services, and encourages other institutions, companies and individuals to cease and avoid all economic, academic and cultural activity that supports the racist state of Israel until that state dissolves itself.” – Paul Larudee

Fact 2: BDS isn’t interested in other areas of the world where there is injustice

If the BDS movement were really concerned with social justice, it would leave Israel alone and focus on nations with appalling and systematic human rights abuses, of which there are many. BDS doesn’t seem particularly concerned about China or Saudi Arabia, for example.

The movement’s obsessive preoccupation with Israel reveals that its real driving force is the hatred of Israel and not social justice.

Fact 3: The BDS movement doesn’t even help the Palestinian people

BDS claims to support the cause of the Palestinians, but it actually does more harm than good for ordinary Palestinian people.

BDS pressurizes Israeli business based in the West Bank, claiming that they are occupying stolen land and exploiting the Palestinian people.

In reality, these businesses provide employment to thousands of Palestinians and offer better salaries and work conditions than they would find in Palestinian-owned companies.

Fact 4: The German Parliament recently declared the BDS movement antisemitic

In May 2019, the German Bundestag passed a motion equating BDS with antisemitism and calling all government agencies to withdraw support from it.

The coalition of German parliamentary parties who brought forward the motion stated that the boycott of Israeli artists and products was “reminiscent of the most terrible chapter in German history” in which the Nazis outlawed trade with Jews.

Many other respectable organizations and human rights initiatives also refuse to work with the BDS movement because of its harmful antisemitic policies.

To conclude…

It is clear to see that, far from being an objective and thoughtful response, BDS is a hate-filled and self-contradictory movement. How can it be that such a vitriolic political campaign is given a platform and a voice across the world, and that so many people buy into its lies?