BDS is opposed by many Israelis who support the Palestinian struggle. By calling for BDS, aren’t we alienating these Israeli supporters?
Of course– it alienates not only Israelis, but all those who want peace between Israel and its neighbors. That’s because the definition of the "Palestinian struggle" by the BDS movement is not the effort to create a Palestinian (Arab) state living in peace alongside a Jewish state of Israel, but rather it is the effort to eliminate a Jewish state and replace it with the 23rd Arab state. The BDS movement itself is very clear– their "call" insists that BDS activities continue until Israel takes the following steps:
1. Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall;
2. Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and
3. Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194.
Note that in the language of Hamas and other anti-peace groups, all of Israel is referred to as "Arab lands." And if there was any doubt, the reference to the fictional "right" of return (a word which is not mentioned in UN Resolution 194, which all the Arab states voted against and in any case does not constitute "international law" ) shows the insistence on changing Israel from a Jewish state into a so-called "binational" state, along the successful models of Lebanon and Bosnia.
If you support peace between Israel and the Palestinians, then BDS opposes you as well.
Although the views of Israeli supporters regarding methods of struggle should be taken into consideration, Palestinians have the ultimate right to decide on the best method for attaining freedom from an illegal occupation and systematically oppressive regime. Supporters of the Palestinian struggle within the international community and within Israel itself have to stop attempting to dictate the terms of the struggle but support the Palestinian right to resist an illegal occupation, especially when the form of resistance is non-violent, as is the case with calls for BDS. BDS are morally sound and effective means of struggle that challenge the world to force Israeli compliance with international law; they therefore serve the cause of ending oppression and establishing a just and sustainable peace. That should be the most urgent consideration for morally consistent individuals supporting genuine peace.
