With the daily massacre of Palestinians occurring before the eyes of the world, the need for a coordinated boycott has never been stronger. The boycott of Israeli products and companies supporting the colonial state is about you and other ordinary people around the world using your consumer power to help bring about an end to the oppression in Palestine. Boycotting Israel is a peaceful means of putting international pressure on the colonial state. History has shown us that Boycotts can be successful if carried out successfully. The successful boycott against South Africa was one of the key factors that led to the collapse of racist apartheid in the country.
There are of course many dimensions and facets to a boycott. During apartheid South Africa the successful boycott included everything from companies to academics. Very few of us have the power to boycott everything that provides support to apartheid Israel. Nonetheless, we all have the power to spend our money where we please. Our boycott is thus directed at all companies that continue to support the colonial occupation of Palestine.
The ‘Boycott Israeli Apartheid’ Campaign will only be as successful as you make it. Whilst it is easy for one to lose hope and underestimate his/her individual consumer power, together we can be a real force for change. Trade Unions around the world, including the UK’s biggest trade union UNISON, with its 1.4 million members, have called for a boycott of all Israeli goods.
Quite simply, companies rely on revenue from customers for profit. The fewer customers they receive, the less profit they will make. It really is that simple. These very companies we aim to boycott prop up the Israeli economy and thus fund the entities war machine. Quite simply a strong Israeli economy translates into a strong Israel. The greater the number of individuals like yourself partake in this boycott, the more effective it ill be. Christian organisations such as Christian Aid have also joined the boycott, demanding an end to trade agreements between the European Union and Israel.
In the past many have argued that partaking in the boycott is pointless, as we contribute to the Israeli economy as British taxpayers. Whilst unfortunately this is true, and provides evidence of the West’s blind and total support for their colonial offspring, it should not be an excuse for us not to do anything. Many of the companies we will target have been honoured in recognition of their key support for the Zionist State. If we can successfully campaign against the large companies then the support of smaller companies for Colonial Israel will, God Willing, dissolve.
With the daily massacre of Palestinians occurring before our very eyes, the importance of a coordinated boycott cannot be overemphasised. Next time you spend your money, THINK!
Posts
