Essay Sample on Effectiveness of BDS Movement

Introduction

The conflict between Israel and Palestine is one of the sensitive issues in the Middle East which has caused significant criticism and support by different nations with every party having its allies. Israel is supported by the West mainly the United States of America whereas Palestine authorities have their backing from mainly Arabic and Islamic religion countries in the Middle East. The cause of the conflict has religion implications and both countries challenges each other on the legitimacy to control areas that have religious significance to both the nations which led to minimal expectation of compromise by any of the countries in regard to their territorial claims. While Palestine's view Israelites as outsiders and an aggressive country that control their traditional territories and oppress the Palestines living in the occupied areas Israel lays the same claim especially on East Jerusalem which it seeks to make part of its capital city (Mason & Falk, 2016). Previously, Palestine has responded to Israel's occupation with militancy and violence along the heavily guarded border which has led to the death of many on both ends. However, the new BDS movement seeks a non-violent opposition of Israel's occupation of Palestine territories through boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel and foreign organizations involved in the development of the occupied regions. This paper will assess the claim and approach of the BDS movement to establish its effectiveness as a non-violent critique of Israel abuse of human rights in the Palestinian occupied territories.

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BDS Organization Overview

BDS movement is a Palestine organization made of actors from various countries that seek to use nonviolent measures to advocate for the respect of human rights and punishing individuals and organizations associated with Israel through economic-oriented measures while observing the international law guidelines. BDS movement was initiated through a call by the Palestinian civil organizations for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions against Israel and organizations that benefit through violation of human rights in the Israeli occupied regions that were taken over after the defeat of the Arab coalition in 1967 (Mason & Falk, 2016). Israel occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza has resulted in activities that are deemed as an abuse to the rights of the Palestinians, especially through forced evictions to create room for Israeli settlements. BDS movement represents a nonviolent struggle for the Palestinians by boycotting products and organizations both at the international level and those from Israel which profit from the infringement of the rights of Palestinians. Besides, the BDS movement seeks to advocate for the boycott of the Israeli academic institutions and culture used in the defense of the Israeli aggression and oppression of the Palestinians in the occupied regions (Mason & Falk, 2016). DS movement pursues a divestment approach from all the corporations that are complicit in human rights violation in the occupied areas, and finally, uses sanctions against Israel with the aim of coercing the nation to uphold the rights of Palestinians in accordance to the international law.

BDS Movement Objectives

The primary objective of the BDS movement is to use nonviolent approach to coerce Israel to observe the human rights requirements for the Palestinians living in West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. The program is modeled after the anti-apartheid BDS in South Africa which was useful in ending the apartheid rule in the country (Mason & Falk, 2016). The movement seeks to help Palestinians living in the occupied regions to enjoy equal rights and protection of the fundamental rights. Previously, Palestinians have been accused of using aggressive measures and militancy to protest Israeli occupation which has only worsened the situation, making it difficult to attain support from the international community. The BDS movement seeks to advance for the protection of the rights of the Palestinians using the principles of human rights and the international law unlike the previous use of the aggressive and offensive violent attacks against Israeli installation and the people (Mason & Falk, 2016). The BDS movement hopes to be able to win the support of the international community and change the current status quo in which the international community supports the Israel operations in the occupied regions and views Palestine militant's aggression as dangerous to the peace and economic progress of the region.

Previously, Israeli offensive in the occupied regions and targeting Palestinians has been viewed as lack of respect to the international law. BDS movement seeks to take advantage of Israel's defiance of international law and abuse of human rights in the occupied areas to win the international community support to challenge the Israeli occupation as well as the repressive policies against the Palestinians in the occupied territories (Bakan & Abu-Laban, 2009). Therefore, the aim of BDS movement is a resistance approach which seeks to use international law and human rights principles to protest the occupation of the former Palestinian territories.

Effectivity of the BDS Movement Resistance

The BDS movement has registered significant success since its creation, and its full impact can grow further in the future. The non-violent nature of the movement has played a significant role towards its success because previous movements such as armed resistance have been viewed by the international community as terrorists who have led to the successful justification of Israeli actions and continued occupation of the Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank (Bakan & Abu-Laban, 2009). The success of the BDS movement, however, remains in question due to the countermeasures created by Israel and continued militancy in Palestine rendering the efforts of the movement useless as a bargaining chip for the international community support. Besides, Israel maintains powerful allies in the West and the failure of the Arab countries to unite against Israel also poses a threat to the BDS movement success.

Economic Impact of the BDS Movement

The primary effect of the BDS movement is its impact on the Israeli economy which is the primary driver of the influence and identity of Israel in the international community. Militants have ravaged Palestine territories in their armed resistance against Israel occupation of key Palestinian claimed territories which has been detrimental to their economy whereas Israel has been able to prosper economically by maintaining strong economic links to the west which has significantly attracted investment in the economy and the military (Mason & Falk, 2016). BDS movement target of the Israel economy is a poses a significant pressure on the Israeli economy and has been able to prevent essential investment in Israel as well as resulted in the exit of some investors from Israel.

Acceptability of BDS by the International Community

Unlike the violent protest of Israel occupation in West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, the non-violent protest using BDS movement observes international human rights principles and law which makes it have a higher acceptance compared to the previous approaches that have been used to protest the occupation by Israel. Israel previously had an upper hand due to the claim that the violent confrontation initiated by Palestine was a declaration of war in which as a nation Israel is forced to retaliate. Due to the violence approach by the Palestine militants the previous protests of Israel occupation of Palestine claimed territories has not been successful nor has it received any support from the international community. The new BDS movement success chances are very high because it uses non-violent protest which can be supported by the international community because it is within the law (Mason & Falk, 2016). Most of the organizations that view Israel occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem as a violation and cause of insecurity in the region can easily support the movement which can force Israel to observe the human rights of the Palestinians in the occupied territories.

Conclusion

The BDS movement is a new non-violent approach to protest Israel occupation of West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem territories that have been claimed by Palestine. Israel has been accused multiple time of violation of human rights. The new approach aims at boycotting, divestment and initiating sanctions against Israel and organizations operating in the occupied territories. The non-violent approach to protest occupation is more effective because it operates under the international law and human rights principles which makes it easy to woe support from organizations and the international community. Besides, the BDS movement makes it possible for Israel and Palestine to negotiate more favorable terms as well as ensure that Israel does not violate human rights such as eviction of Palestinians to create Jewish settlements.

References

Bakan, A. B., & Abu-Laban, Y. (2009). Palestinian resistance and international solidarity: The BDS campaign. Race & Class, 51(1), 29-54.

Mason, V., & Falk, R. (2016). Assessing Nonviolence in the Palestinian Rights Struggle. State Crime Journal, 5(1), 163-186.