The BDS movement today Alys Samson Estapé

Transcript:The BDS movement today Alys Samson Estapé:
The BDS movement today Alys Samson Estapé alys@bdsmovement.net Israel’s impunity – 70 years of ongoing Nakba, regime of occupation, apartheid and colonialism over the Palestinian population Israel can only maintain the ongoing oppression to Palestinians with international support Growing isolation towards Israeli apartheid More and more people and institutions decide they do not want to be complicit The BDS campaign How, when and why does BDS start? 170 organizations –broadest Palestinian coalition A year after the Hague declares the Wall illegal Inspired in South-Africa struggle against apartheid What is BDS? Non-violent strategy Rejects all forms of racism, sexism and discrimination Calls for Palestinian human rights to be respected Represents: Palestinians in the diaspora, Palestinians living under occupation in Gaza and the Westbank and Palestinians living in 48 Lead by Palestinian population Institutions are taking a stand Apartheid Free Zones -> over 100 institutions in the Spanish State. Guide for the protection and promotion of Human rights in public procurement Cities in Italy and the Spanish state calling for a two-way military embargo of Israel Norway gives green light to boycott settlements Ireland will vote on settlement banning in July UN Human Rights council voted for a military embargo Presbyterian church Alongside Israel/Palestine mission, U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Equal Rights, American Muslims for Palestine, St. Louis Palestine Solidarity Committee, Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace, and St. Louis Jewish Voice for Peace Opposing anti-BDS legislation at the state and federal level Receiving the call from the National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine to stand firmly in solidarity with Palestine Opposing Israel’s illegal annexation of Jerusalem and its discriminatory practices against Palestinians Encouraging authentic Jewish-Christian relationships that recognize systemic inequality and are grounded in a mutual commitment to work together for justice Opposing Israel’s discrimination against Palestinians and other citizens of Israel, and calling for U.S. diplomatic action toward equality Urging RE/MAX to stop facilitating sales in Israeli settlements Condemning Israel's attacks on protesters in the Great March for Return and blockade on Gaza Rejecting normalization efforts that ignore the power imbalance between Palestinians and Israelis Divestment victories Last July: Mennonite Church USA voted to support divest from companies that profit from violations of Palestinian rights The World Communion of Reformed churches called its member churches worldwide to examine their investments related to the situation of Palestine Government pension funds in Sweden, Norway, New Zealand and Luxembourg and investors including George Soros,