Comments on: Amira Hass on BDS: “Don’t make it into a religion”

By: Marian Hennings

Marian Hennings — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:26:40 +0000

There is currently what is commonly known as a SLAPP suit filed against the governing board of an Olympia, Washington, USA cooperative store that voted to boycott Israeli merchandise. This sounds similar to what you describe in Israel. We shall see what the courts say on this issue. I regret the need for self-censorship, but I disagree with Joseph’s diatribe. You must be practical or you will be “off the air,” and that would be a real shame. Right on, Lisa Goldman!

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 02:24:00 +0000

My impulse is actually to argue against BDS–at least, against “B,” which targets persons based on nationality, not on individual wrongdoing.

However, it is obscene to argue against BDS when others are prohibited from arguing for it. Like boxing with an opponent who has his hands cuffed behind his back.

By: Serge

Serge — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:19:40 +0000

I must admit that I do not understand the concept of Israeli BDSers as, surely, their failure to have left Israel and, instead, continued engagement and involvement in the country’s economy is doing the opposite of what they say ought to be done. That said, as a ex-Montreal and now-Toronto Jew I am thankful that the BDS movement, which I do not endorse, has made it convenient for me to purchase Israeli products. I can say in all honesty that I have purchased far more from Israel than I would have done had I not been pointed towards these products, both in Montreal (hello Beautifeel!) and now in Toronto.

By: Craig Vale

Craig Vale — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 13:59:38 +0000

I am nothing short of stunned at the sheer amount of repression in a nation where Likud politicians are forever telling us in the west that one of the shining stars contained within ( The only democracy) in the middle east is its ” Free Press” Seems there is a very active cadre of Political thought police, morality checkers and flat out censors who seek to protect Israeli policies that are not in lock step with their (Likud) policies such as I see expressed on the pages of the online site Arutz Sheva.
I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for writers and editors to have to self censor under the threat of financial ruin. Shameful !

By: Just a Zionist

Just a Zionist — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 17:19:25 +0000

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By: Amir.BK

Amir.BK — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 08:01:36 +0000

BDSers? there are no israeli BDSers silly, it’s illegal. I call for well informed conscientious consumerism. that’s all. c’est tout. I advise you all to advocate the same.

By: Just a Zionist

Just a Zionist — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 07:18:52 +0000

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By: Jillian C. York (@jilliancyork)

Jillian C. York (@jilliancyork) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 20:11:28 +0000

I think Hass makes an excellent point; one can support BDS (as an American, I do) and still work to avoid making it a “religion.” It can not be the be-all end-all of activism, nor should it necessarily be a litmus test for dedication (though I understand why it is), particularly given its current legal status in Israel.

By: Dubi K

Dubi K — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:21:59 +0000

Dana B.S. – I’ve seen BDS activists attacking Palestinians involved in Jewish-Palestinian reconciliation efforts for not supporting BDS. Don’t say this is a “call for solidarity”. This is an attempt to impose one view on anyone who supports the Palestinian cause — indeed, to equate BDS with the Palestinian cause. As noted in the article – for some it became the litmus test, which is absurd. That is exactly what it means to “turn it into a religion”, the belief that if you don’t follow our One True Way, then you are against us.

By: Mikesailor

Mikesailor — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:23:23 +0000

For Harold: “Any supporter of boycotts and divestiture is anti-Israel amd many are also antisemitic’. That is pure claptrap and you know it, or should know it. So, what strategy or tactic should be used, Harold, to stop any further harm from Israel? Or should we all just roll over and play dead because Harold night accuse us of, horror of horrors, antisemitism. Most of the commenters on this board realize that that the current Israeli law banning even mention of BDS is an abridgement of both freedom of speech and political action. Its ‘chilling effect’ stops all normal discourse.
If you can’t answer, or more likely, don’t want to, let me ask you this: IF the US halted all military and financial aid to Israel would that be antisemitic? If th US refused to allow the IDF to recruit abd hold fundraisers on US soil (something no other country is permitted to do)would that be antisemitic? If the US disallowed ‘charitable’ deductions to those who donate to settlements in the West Bank, would that be anntisemitic? How about imposing sanctions on Israel for refusing to join the NPT? Or Israel’s use of US supplied weaponry in derogation of US law which states that such weaponry must only be used in self-defense? Or if the US didn’t veto UN resolutions which would sanction Israel for violations of international law, even when the US is signatory to those laws and treaties in the first place? Are all those examples antisemitic? If your answer is those examples are ‘anti-Israeli’, then I wear that label proudly. And if you deem them antisemitic, then you have stretched the meaning of that term beyond any recognition or sense.