Deborah Obarisiagbon comments on the urgent need for a radical Boycott, Divestment and Sanction approach with Israeli goods and institutions.
In the current political climate, it is impossible to go on the internet and not stumble upon graphic images of the destruction and violence unfolding in Gaza. Because of Israels refusal to let any humanitarian aid enter Gaza, any donations to NGO’s are rendered futile as money donated is not actually benefitting any Palestinian people there. Raising awareness of the plight of Gazans from our soap boxes, no matter how large or small, is one of the only things we can do to help Palestinians. Another key thing we can do is adhere to the BDS list curated by Palestinians that stops our money from further fuelling this heartbreaking genocide.
The BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement is a global campaign that advocates for various forms of boycott against Israel until it complies with international law and respects the rights of Palestinians. The movement was initiated in 2005 by a coalition of Palestinian civil society organizations and has gained traction in various parts of the world. The BDS movement aims to apply economic and political pressure on Israel to end what it perceives as violations of Palestinian rights, including the occupation of Palestinian territories, the construction of settlements, and the treatment of Palestinian refugees.
"The BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement is a global campaign that advocates for various forms of boycott against Israel until it complies with international law and respects the rights of Palestinians."
According to the BDS Campaign, Boycotts involve withdrawing support from Israel's apartheid regime, complicit Israeli sporting, cultural and academic institutions, and from all Israeli and international companies engaged in violations of Palestinian human rights. Companies like Starbucks, McDonald’s, Domino’s Pizza, and Burger King have ‘controversially’ been placed on the official BDS list. Boycotting means a complete refusal to buy goods or services from any of these companies and instead spending our money elsewhere.
Éabha Hughes of UCD BDS characterised it best – “Money is the vessel for change and power, and as consumers we have to show our allegiance, loyalty and solidarity with our money”. Boycotts let people put their money where their values are. We as consumers not only have a right to choose where we spend our money, but we also have the privilege of choice on where we spend our money. Not buying a Starbucks drink or ordering a McDonalds burger won’t kill you, but refusing to support a boycott against these companies will help in further perpetrating this genocide. Of course, there is no true ethical consumption under capitalism and every big corporation is flawed so low-income people sometimes cannot avoid purchasing from certain brands. However, this does not refer to being unwilling to give up an overpriced latte or an overprocessed burger to apply economic pressure to these companies.
“Boycotting means a complete refusal to buy goods or services from any of these companies and instead spending our money elsewhere.”
Boycotting has historically been one of the most important ways of applying economic and political pressure on governments. The term Boycott even originates from Ireland. It was termed in 1880 after an English Landlord, Charles Boycott, who refused to lower the rents he charged in compliance with a new land reform law. He was boycotted by his Irish tenants and soon found himself isolated, unable to keep his servants or even buy food and was forced to leave Ireland. One of the most successful Boycotts, The Montgomery Bus Boycott, involved African Americans refusing to use ride on Montgomery Buses for 381 days despite the bus being the main mode of transportation for most African Americans. The Montgomery Bus Boycott did not solve all the racial problems in America, but it raised awareness of the African American struggle and finally brought racial segregation to the forefront.
When a group of Irish Dunnes Stores workers, led by Mary Manning, refused to sell South African goods to protest apartheid, it led the Irish government to implement a national boycott. The actions taken by Dunnes Stores workers and supporters became an inspiration for other anti-apartheid activists around the world. The boycott demonstrated the power of ordinary individuals to contribute to a global movement against injustice and oppression. Their stand demonstrated how individuals, even in seemingly small actions, could contribute to a larger cause. This was also seen when the Irish Government tried to introduce water charges which led to a nationwide boycott and protests in almost every Irish town which resulted in the full removal of the water charges and refunds were even issued to those who paid these charges. These are the type of radical stands we must take in solidarity with Palestine.
The BDS movement is working. Companies on the BDS list are reporting declines in sales and releasing statements in attempts to reduce PR damage. Israeli exporters have repeatedly complained that it is getting harder to export products to Europe. International businesses are becoming increasingly unwilling to invest in Israel because of BDS. In a move characterised by BDS campaigners as a win, PUMA has recently decided to end sponsorship of Israel’s national team. In response to the growing movement, the House of Commons has even introduced an Anti-BDS bill. We clearly wield so much power with our money and with great power comes even greater responsibility.
“These are the type of radical stands we must take in solidarity with Palestine.”
Boycotts gives ordinary people the opportunity to use one of their most powerful weapons, their money, to show oppressive governments that we do not support their actions. We cannot continue to say that we are Pro-Palestine and anti-genocide and still indulge in a “Maccies” after a night out. We cannot claim to be Pro-Human rights and still give business to Multi Billion corporations that threaten to sue unions asserting their freedom of speech. We cannot claim to be good and upstanding citizens and stand by idly, watching as thousands of Palestinians die every single day. Actions always speak louder than words. It’s one of the only things that Palestinian people ask of us. It’s time for UCD to cut all ties with Israel. It’s Time for UCD’s president stand firmly and give a solid response against this genocide. It’s time to put your Money where your Mouth is and support the BDS Movement