In 2005, Palestinian civil society issued a call for a campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights. A truly global movement against Israeli Apartheid is rapidly emerging in response to this call.
The global movement for a campaign of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights was initiated by Palestinian civil society in 2005. BDS is a strategy that allows people of conscience to play an effective role in the Palestinian struggle for justice.
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 basic principles of law. Israel’s crimes have continued with impunity.
In view of this continued failure, Palestinian civil society called for a global citizens’ response. On 9th July, 2005, a year after the International Court of Justice’s historic advisory opinion on the illegality of Israel’s Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), a clear majority of Palestinian civil society called upon their counterparts and people of conscience to act to launch broad boycotts, implement divestment initiatives, and to demand sanctions against Israel, until Palestinian rights are recognised in full compliance with international law.
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 Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions movement
The campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions is shaped by a rights-based approach and highlights the three broad sections of the Palestinian people: refugees, those under military occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and Palestinians in Israel. The call urges various forms of boycott against Israel until it meets its obligations under international law by:
The BDS call was endorsed by over 170 Palestinian political parties, organisations, trade unions and movements. The signatories represent the refugees, Palestinians in the occupied territories, and Palestinian citizens of Israel.
Awareness raising and advocacy — for the long journey ahead.
Rebuilding demolished homes in the West Bank is a powerful challenge to injustice and a profound act of solidarity. Each block we carry, each bucket of cement we mix, are much more than just materials — they are made of stuff that really matters.
On Your Marks... Get Set... In March 2021 and 2022 we were joined by individuals and teams from around the world to run 750 km — the length of the Separation Wall, to demand freedom of movement for Palestinians and to raise funds to help rebuild a demolished Palestinian home. We hope to be running (and walking) again in 2023.
Israel overtly uses culture as a form of propaganda to justify its apartheid policies and occupation of the Palestinian territories. Palestinian anti-apartheid activists have called on international artists, writers, cultural institutions and those who work for them to join the cultural boycott of Israel.
The Boycott Puma Campaign seeks to put pressure on the sportswear company Puma to end their sponsorship of the Israel Football Association, who as documented by Human Rights Watch, includes 6 Israeli football clubs based in illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land. Puma’s current and past exclusive licensees in Israel also have operations in illegal Israeli settlements.
Amos Trust believes that it is vital that we listen to, and act upon the Palestinian civil society call for a military embargo on Israel because of its violations of international law during its frequent attacks on Palestinians. In the UK, this campaign has been led by Campaign Against the Arms Trade, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and War on Want.
In 2009, all the main Palestinian churches came together to form Kairos Palestine. Their campaign has enjoyed recent success with the Quakers, URC and Methodists. Now see how you can become involved with Sabeel-Kairos in pressing denominations to change and with the wider work undertaken.
We work alongside grass-roots partners in Palestine, South Africa, Nicaragua, Burundi, India and Tanzania.
Reaching children on the streets, addressing their trauma, working with them and their families to reintegrate them into their homes, to realise their rights and recover their future.
Working with local and international peace activists, and partnering with grass-roots projects, to call for a just peace, reconciliation and full equal rights for all Palestinians and Israelis.
Addressing the impact of climate change and the causes of extreme poverty, building sustainable rural communities and empowering them to realise their rights.
Bringing people together to meet our partners from around the world, visiting the communities they work in and seeing their projects in action — building solidarity and lasting friendships.
Amos Trust
Room 11
St Margaret’s House
15 Old Ford Road
Bethnal Green
London
E2 9PJ
Telephone:
+44 (0) 203 725 3493
Email:
[email protected]
Registered Charity No.
1164234
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