29 September 2019 | https://bit.ly/2lSsG2T
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Companies, pension funds, even governments in countries around the world have thrown their support behind the Israeli boycott.
By: Olivia Ward Foreign Affairs Reporter, Published on Mon Jul 20 2015 The Star BDS achievements The BDS movement has scored notable tactical successes in the decade since it was launched by Palestinian activists, claiming 100 victories in the U.S. alone. Here are some of its gains: ECONOMIC KLP: The Norwegian insurance giant divested from Germany’s Heidelberg Cement and Mexico’s Cemex over their use of Palestinian natural resources in the occupied territories. Veolia: The French conglomerate sold almost all of its business in Israel after losing major international tenders because of its involvement in Israeli projects in the occupied territories. G4S: The security company has been hit by millions of dollars in divestments from the Gates foundation and the American United Methodist Church pension fund because of its involvement in Israeli prisons where Palestinians are incarcerated. U.S. Presbyterian Church: Divested from three international companies involved in the occupation, including Caterpillar, HP and Motorola Solutions. George Soros Fund Management: Divested all its stock in the Israeli company SodaStream, which operates in the occupied territories. PGGM: The major Dutch pension management fund divested from five Israeli banks over their involvement in the occupied territories. Norway: The country’s giant sovereign wealth fund divested from two Israeli companies involved in settlement construction. Europe: Governments have issued guidance notices to their citizens and businesses advising them against involvement in Israeli projects in the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem. The EU issued guidelines against funding Israeli projects and entities in the territories. CULTURAL International petition: Almost 1,000 British cultural figures signed a pledge for a cultural boycott of Israel, joined by others in Montreal, Ireland and South Africa. Major U.S. filmmakers, writers, musicians and artists refused to participate in Israeli cultural events. Holocaust survivors criticize Israel: A half-page New York Times ad signed by 327 Jewish Holocaust survivors condemned Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians and called for a “full economic, cultural and academic boycott.” Academic boycott: More than 1,200 Spanish university staff joined an academic boycott of Israel, along with Belgian students and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland. The American Studies Association and three other major U.S. academic groups endorsed an academic boycott of Israel. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Archbishop Desmond Tutu in a letter to the United Church of Canada urges the denomination to take peaceful, economic action against the Israeli occupation of Palestine. He calls for the United Church at its General Council meeting in August to, “join with other denominations around the globe who have decided to boycott and divest from companies that benefit from the occupation.” Desmond Tutu first rose to prominence in the struggle against apartheid. He was one of the initial and strongest advocates for boycotts, divestment and sanctions in South Africa. In 1984 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Tutu has been a frequent visitor to the Holy Land. In the letter he draws strong parallels between apartheid in South Africa and the treatment of Palestinians. “I saw the marks of apartheid in the policies of the Israeli government continued to the present day. The Palestinians are forced to live in segregated areas, often relocated to less desirable land so Jewish settlers can live in fine red ceramic-roofed houses with paved roads while most Palestinians live in squalor in villages and refugee camps. Water is diverted to settlers so that they can have nice green lawns, irrigated fields and community swimming pools while Palestinians endure shortages and dusty roads. I have looked at this and seen the ugly face of apartheid and the racism within it.” Tutu’s letter to the United Church is timely as it arrives before the triennial meeting of the denomination in Cornerbrook, Newfoundland and Labrador scheduled for Aug. 8-15. At its last meeting, the United Church voted in favour of boycotting goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements. Since then, SodaStream one of three targeted companies, have moved their facilities out of the occupied area. Ahava cosmetics, another targeted company, is reported to be ready to leave Palestinian territory also. Tutu’s letter also calls attention to Canada’s, “complicity in Palestinian suffering under occupation.” Rev. Steve Berube, co-chair of the United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel (UNJPPI), sees this letter as being important. “Archbishop Tutu, is one of the few people who can speak with authority when comparing his life in South Africa to what he has actually seen in Palestine.” Berube spoke of his own experience in the West Bank, “Like virtually every other human rights observer in Palestine, I witnessed Israeli violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws as well as the Geneva Conventions on a daily basis. With last year’s war in Gaza more people are beginning to wake up to the horrors of the occupation. The only way the illegal occupation will end is through civil society putting economic pressure on Israel and forcing them to negotiate seriously.” -30- For more information, please contact: Rev. Steve Berube / Telephone: (506) 381-7869 Email: sberube@nb.aibn.com A number of members have responded to the Moderator's blog on Gaza.
Click the names to read their responses: Nancy Steeves Dawn Waring Natalie Maxson Marianna Harris Keith Simmonds A new Beigel and Beigel factory in Tzfat was opened this week. Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom and Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Shalom Simchon were there. The mayor of Ariel, Ron Nachman, was not because he claimed that companies are receiving building and tax credits due to companies opening up in peripheral areas. In that sense, Nachman said, the government was encouraging the international boycott of Judea and Samaria. Unilever decided to move the factory after European groups organized a boycott of Unilever products over the fact that the company owned a factory in the “Occupied West Bank.”
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