Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions

What is BDS?

BDS — Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions — is a global, Palestinian-led movement using economic and cultural pressure to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law. It’s modelled on the movement that helped end apartheid in South Africa. And like that movement, it works because ordinary people — not just governments — can take action.

Why BDS exists

For decades, Israel has denied Palestinians their fundamental rights of freedom, equality and self-determination through ethnic cleansing, colonisation, racial discrimination and military occupation.

Despite abundant condemnation of Israeli policies by the UN, other international bodies and pre-eminent human rights organisations, the world community has failed to hold Israel accountable and enforce compliance with international law. Israel’s crimes have continued with impunity.

In 2005, Palestinian civil society said: enough. If governments won’t act, people will.

On 9th July 2005, a year after the International Court of Justice ruled Israel’s Separation Wall illegal, over 170 Palestinian political parties, organisations, trade unions and movements issued a call for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel until it complies with international law.

This wasn’t a demand from outside. It was a call from Palestinians themselves — refugees, those living under occupation in Gaza and the West Bank, and Palestinian citizens of Israel.

“BDS is perhaps the most ambitious, empowering and promising Palestinian-led global movement for justice and rights. BDS has the capacity to challenge Israel's colonial rule and apartheid in a morally consistent, effective and, crucially, intelligent manner.” Omar Barghouti, co-founder of the BDS movement

What BDS demands

The BDS call asks for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel until it meets its obligations under international law by:

• ending its occupation and colonisation of all Arab lands occupied in June 1967 and dismantling the Wall;
• recognising the fundamental rights of Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality;
• respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN Resolution 194.

These aren’t radical demands. They’re basic requirements of international law that Israel has ignored for decades.

How BDS works

BDS operates on three levels:

1. Boycott
   Refusing to buy products from Israeli companies or settlements, and avoiding cultural and academic institutions that are complicit in occupation and apartheid.
2. Divestment
   Pressuring institutions (universities, churches, pension funds, local councils) to withdraw investments from companies profiting from occupation.
3. Sanctions
   Calling on governments to impose sanctions on Israel until it complies with international law, including military embargoes and trade restrictions.

What you can do

Consumer boycotts:

• don’t buy products from Israeli settlements or companies complicit in occupation (like Ahava cosmetics, SodaStream, Israeli dates),
• check product labels and choose alternatives,
• share information about which companies to avoid.

Cultural and academic boycott:

• support artists, academics and cultural workers who refuse to perform or speak at Israeli state-sponsored events,
• encourage institutions to cut ties with Israeli universities complicit in occupation,
• promote Palestinian culture and voices instead.

Divestment campaigns:

• pressure your university, pension fund, local council or faith community to divest from companies profiting from occupation,
• join existing divestment campaigns in your area,
• support shareholder activism targeting complicit companies.

Call for sanctions:

• demand your government impose sanctions on Israel, including arms embargoes,
• support campaigns calling for trade restrictions and diplomatic pressure,
• contact your MP about supporting BDS principles.

Why BDS is effective

BDS works because it creates real economic, cultural and political pressure. Companies have withdrawn from projects in settlements. Artists have cancelled performances. Universities have cut ties with complicit institutions.

But more than that, BDS shifts the conversation. It makes clear that there are consequences for violating international law. It empowers people to take action when governments won’t. And it centres Palestinian voices and demands.

Is BDS antisemitic?

No. BDS explicitly rejects all forms of racism, including antisemitism. The movement targets Israeli state policies and complicit institutions, not Jewish people or identity. Criticism of Israeli government policies is not antisemitic, just as criticism of any government’s policies is not bigotry. Palestinians have the right to call for accountability through nonviolent means.

Many Jewish people around the world support BDS because they believe in justice and oppose occupation and apartheid.

Get involved

BDS is a movement anyone can join. Whether you boycott products, pressure institutions to divest, campaign for sanctions or simply share information — every action matters.

Learn more about BDS →
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A global movement for justice

Since 2005, BDS has grown into a truly global movement. People of conscience around the world are responding to the Palestinian call for solidarity through action.

You can be part of it.