Shir Hever cites four articles in Israel that demonstrate the growing concern over the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement. Here's an excerpt of his piece, mentioning one of those articles:
In 3 February, Nehemia Strassler, one of Israel's most famous economic correspondents, attacked the Israeli Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor, Eli Yishai, for calling on the Israeli military to "destroy one hundred homes in Gaza for every rocket that falls in Israel." Strassler had nothing to say about the Palestinians living in these homes or about the loss of life, but he warned:
"[the minister] doesn't even understand how the operation in Gaza hurts the economy. The horror sights on television and the words of politicians in Europe and Turkey change the behavior of consumers, businessmen and potential investors. Many European consumers boycott Israeli products in practice. Intellectuals call for an economic war against us and to enforce an official and full consumer boycott.
Calls are heard in board meetings of economic corporations to boycott trade relations with Israel. So far deals were cancelled with Turkey, the UK, Egypt and the Gulf States, and visits by economic delegations were cancelled. It’s much easier now to switch providers while abandoning Israeli providers. Many company boards are required to take wide considerations into account with regards to the good of society and the environment, and they put political considerations in that slot as well.
These four articles are a sign that there is a shift in the effectiveness of the BDS movement against Israel, and that if the momentum is maintained and strengthened, Israeli businessmen may decide to move their headquarters away from Israel, or to begin to put pressure on the Israeli government to begin respecting international law, and ending the occupation.
> Act Now to Support Divestment. Hampshire College Needs You!
> From: US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation (uscampaign@mail.democracyinaction.org)
"Two weeks ago, Hampshire College announced that it was divesting from a mutual fund which has holdings in six corporations that support Israel's military occupation. Now Hampshire's administration is caving to pressure from Alan Dershowitz and trying to reinvest in two of these corporations – Motorola and Terex. Write to Hampshire College's President, Ralph Hexter, and tell him to stand strong for divestment."
> To send him an email – link to salsa.democracyinaction.org
Israels largest trading partner is Europe. It is here that the BDS movement will have the greatest impact. It is good to hear that these first cancellations of Israeli trading contracts is starting to be recognized inside Israel. If the incoming rightwing government begins to carry out its election promises against the Palestinians then we should see even more vigorous economic reactions inside Europe. It is difficult to predict how such sanctions will deter the Israelis, but they should look forward to more pain. Initially, given precedent in other cases, the Israeli people will likely rally around their government in patriotic fervor and defy the rest of the world. But over time, these actions will wither the Israeli economy and they will either submit or go over the edge in even more reckless actions. It is going to be very interesting watching them deal with this situation.
It is hard to predict how the US will respond. The economic crisis makes it unlikely for us to increase aid to lesson their plight. Perhaps it is even possible that the US will begin to realize that Israel is a lost cause and begin to withdraw its support. Who knows?
I wish the acronym "BDS" ("Boycott, Sanctions, and Disinvestment") didn't so much resemble the acronym "BDSM" ("Bondage, Domination, Sadism and Masochism").
syvanen,
I wish you were right but I just don't see the power of the American Zionists disappearing in my lifetime. They are too rich and too powerful. Even if Israel goes down the tubes, they'll take us right down the tubes right with her, providing money and weapons all the way. Neither congress nor the president will ever break with Israel. And neither will the Christian fundamentalists who are in this till Aramageddon.
I wish "Rowan" was not also the name of some people worthy of respect.
Divestment towards WHAT, specifically?
Towards what? A modest amount of fairness for the Palestinians, all things considered, and a tad of
USA First strategy?
Thats not particularly specific, Ricardo.
The problem with the formula "we know justice when we see it" (I know that's not exactly what you said), is that it HABITUALLY PUNITIVE. Both words, "habitually" and "punitive" conflict with what I understand as "justice".
Its analagous to an angry spouse, "I'll hurt you until I feel better."
Its a bullshit approach.
I know that you don't speak for the "divestment community", you are just an individual. But, you do illustrate a common approach.
So justice needs to be defined first by the Zionists and Israel, and then it may proceed.
What exactly do you recommend that Israel do differently, Richard? Do you think that one more Palestinian home should be demolished? IF the IDF tells you it's a terrorist family? And a new Jewish subdivision could be right around the corner?
Stop criticizing those who are against Zionism and reign in the movement you yourself are a part of.
Instead you prevaricate on Lebanon and Gaza. You repeat pro-Israel interpretations gleaned from Alan Dershowitz and Abe Foxman. You insist that ideology is off-limits to the discussion, except if it's Islamic radicalism or Arab nationalism or anti-Semitism or whatever is currently justifying the tribal paranoia and hostility and bellicosity.
Zionism, despite a number of earnest true believers, is a cynical scheme to foment conflict in order to acquire land for a heavily-government-subsidized economic development, rife with corruption and tribal favoritism.
Peace is anathema to Zionism.
Peace means regularity, peace means international norms, human rights, accountability, audits. Peace means reduced defense budgets.
Peace is the end of the road for the American and Israeli war criminals and profiteers. Peace is the pyramid come crashing down.
Israel provokes and even funds rival militias, such as Hamas, who eventually rise to prominence to fill the enemy gap, so as to convince the most gullible of Americans and American Jews that peace must once again be delayed, so that evil may be vanquished.
Self-talk MM.
Peace means mutual acknowledgement.
You don't even acknowledge the most fundamental right of a human being to retain his or her home and livelihood.
You want the Palestinians to acknowledge their dispossession and refugee status as a permanent condition.
Zionism just atrophies your brain, Richard. Sad.
"Self-talk", just for those keeping score, is the mature, sensible, civilized Richard Witty's way of sticking his fingers in his ears and yelling 'yadda yadda yadda!' to keep from listening to anything.
Well said,MM. Who is this guy Witty? Does he come here to talk to himself? It seems so, from what I have seen so far.