Sanctions (BDS)

Take the profit out of Occupation & Apartheid


When a country violating human rights does not respond to decades of pressure through diplomatic efforts, international law, or rulings by the International Court of Justice, another level of pressure is needed. For example, when member states repeatedly violate resolutions, the United Nations often imposes sanctions.

Israel has now violated more UN resolutions than any other country in the UN's history. Nevertheless, any UN proposal to remove international complicity in Israel's transgressions has been systematically opposed by the United States through its veto in the UN Security Council. The question is not whether Israel should be singled out for BDS, but whether it should be immune to the standard to which other countries are held.

In 2005, hundreds of civil society organizations came together to endorse a collective Palestinian call for people and institutions around the world to stop profiting from Israel's violence against the Palestinian people. This call was similar to the one made by Black South Africans living under Apartheid, a call that began an unstoppable movement that helped topple Apartheid in South Africa.

BookCurious about the analogy? Order or download "Is Israel an Apartheid State?" – a phenomenal booklet compiled by Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions-USA summarizing a legal study by the Human Sciences Research Center of South Africa.

The fact that Palestinians have asked us to engage in BDS is the best reason to do it, but it's not the only one. Others:

  • Historic precedent: it worked against Apartheid in South Africa.
  • It's already working! There is constant concern within the Israeli government and Zionist American groups about this global nonviolent movement, precisely because of its potential.
  • It's realistic. In 2009, Hampshire College just became the first US college to divest from companies involved in the Israeli Occupation... just 33 years after Hampshire College became the first US college to divest from Apartheid South Africa! Times are changing and the first one is always the hardest...
  • It's a great educational tool. With a BDS Campaign going on, people are forced to learn about the issue and make their own choices about it, rather than being able to ignore it. It also means that even if you don't win the campaign, you've still won.


Universities, churches, labor unions, pension funds, and even municipalities and entire states are just some of communities that can get involved. Planning a campaign takes lots of patience, preparation, and strategizing, but it's very rewarding. There are many organizations, individuals, and resources out there to support you.

First, make sure you are acquainted with the 2005 Palestinian call for BDS, upon which the global campaign is based. Both and have published the call, FAQs, examples of campaigns and successes, and much more to help you get started…