BDS

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement, colloquially the BDS Movement, is a Palestinian-led global campaign seeking political activism against Israel for "occupying and colonizing Palestinian land, discriminating against Palestinian citizens of Israel and denying Palestinian refugees the right to return to their homes." The movement, which takes its cues from the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, was created in 2005 as calls grew in the international community to pressure Israel on behalf of the Palestinian cause. It is often criticized for being antisemitic in its opposition to Zionism and promoting the de-ligitimization of Israel and denying the country its right to exist and self-determination. Movement goals The BDS Movement calls for non-violent yet punishing measures against Israel until it ends what is seen as an occupation of rightfully Palestinian territory and a dismantlement of the West Bank separation barrier. BDS also pushes for full equality of Palestinians and the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes in accordance with United Nations Resolution 194, adopted December 11, 1948. The movement uses protests and cultural boycotts to target Israeli businesses in the West Bank or events with connects to Israel. BDS is a key player in the international Israeli Apartheid Week, a series of lectures and rallies across college campuses against Israeli activity in the West Bank. BDS supporters have successfully gotten some artists from cancelling concerts in Israel, even when the concerts were not scheduled to take place in the West Bank. In addition, business boycotts are a common tactic employed by the movement, targeting Israeli businesses, notably the soft drink company SodaStream and Israeli banks Bank Hapoalim and Bank Leumi. Supporters are urged to refrain from buying goods or using services from Israeli companies or from companies which do business in Israel. Criticism Multiple organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League, classify the BDS movement as antisemitic, citing the double standards Israel is held to that apply to no other country in the world. Other claims of antisemitism highlight that BDS supporters engage in antisemitic activity and deny Israel's right to self-determination. Critics also point out BDS closely parallels the Nazi boycott of Jewish businesses in the era right before World War II. Critics also note that the calls to boycott Israeli businesses, which themselves employ Palestinian workers, inadvertently harm Palestinians, the people the BDS movement claims to support. The European Union has expressed opposition to the boycott of Israel, and motions have been passed across the world condemning the movement. A non-binding motion in Ontario, Canada called to "reject the 'differential treatment' of Israel by the BDS movement," while 21 states in the United States have passed anti-BDS laws. French anti-hate speech law has been used against BDS activists. Support BDS enjoys endorsements from the African National Congress and branches of the Green Party in England, Wales, Scotland and Canada. Pink Floyd musician Roger Waters is a noted supporter of the BDS movement, as are Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu and novelist Alice Walker.

Ed Miliband: The 'proud British Jew' who turned his back on Britain's Jews - comment

Governments cannot simultaneously tell Jews that they are not responsible for Israel while adopting rhetoric that helps activists collapse the distinction between the two.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2026|ByMATHILDA HELLER

Britain's Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband speaks at the House of Commons in London, Britain, September 8, 2026.

Shalev Biton, Israeli athlete and amputee who lost his left leg in May 2021 while serving in the IDF’s Nahal Brigade during Operation Guardian of the Walls.

Adidas apologizes for campaign featuring disabled IDF soldier following calls to boycott

The initiative, limited to local Israeli outlets rather than running globally, included posters and videos featuring disabled athletes who require only one shoe because of limb differences.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2026|ByALEX CARSON

In an aerial view, the city of Miami skyline is seen on April 29, 2026.

Miami-Dade approves higher investment cap for Israeli bonds amid public backlash

Despite the previous cap of 3%, Israeli bonds only make up about 1.48% of Miami-Dade’s portfolio, or roughly $130 million, according to the county’s third-quarter investment report.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2026|BySHARON UDASIN/ JTA

Adidas faces boycott calls over 'single shoe' campaign with former Israel soldier and amputee

Biton lost his left leg in May 2021 while serving in the IDF’s Nahal Brigade during Operation Guardian of the Walls.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2026|ByMATHILDA HELLER

Israeli athletes removed from Northern Irish triathlon amid BDS pressure, fears for safety

A Northern Ireland triathlon dropped four Israeli athletes, sparking criticism from Jewish leaders and debate over whether sport should be used for political boycotts.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2026ByJAMES GENN

Palestine Action hunger striker supporters hold pro-IRA and pro-Palestinian banners while protesting in Parliament Square while waiting for the Derry delegation on December 15, 2025 in London, UK; illustrative.

US House passes bill stripping federal funds from universities that boycott Israel

“This legislation has true teeth and completely severs any possible taxpayer support of these concrete campaigns of antisemitism in the form of BDS and academic boycotts of Israel,” Foxx added.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2026BySHARON UDASIN/ JTA

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest outside the Consulate General of Israel to condemn Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, in Los Angeles, California, US, October 2, 2025.

Italian B&B sends anti-Israel message to Israeli guest, prompting cancellation

When the guest provided her details and the host recognized she was from Israel, the property sent a message invoking the BDS campaign.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2026ByALEX CARSON

An illustrative image of a Boycott, Divestments, and Sanctions (BDS) movement protest against Israel.

Accusations of Israeli genocide at US universities linked to BDS supporters, AMCHA report finds

An AMCHA Initiative study examining 278 university events found a stark link between pre-Oct. 7 support for boycotting Israel and accusations of genocide in academic programming.

AUGUST 27, 2026ByALEX CARSON

Fringe rabbis recruit Jewish clergy to lobby against US military aid to Israel, halt weapons sales

The coalition, called 'Rabbis for Block the Bombs, ' launched publicly on 23 August and so far has 92 signatories.

AUGUST 25, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER

Demonstrators from the group Jewish Voice for Peace hold an emergency Passover Seder outside of ICE headquarters on April 14, 2025 in New York City. The group is calling for freedom for Palestine, the release of Mahmoud Khalil, and to protest President Trump.

CUNY ordered to disclose all investments in companies with alleged ties to Israel

CUNY agreed to a settlement and to provide all its stock and bond holdings for every fiscal year since January 2020. This is to be done within the next 15 days.

AUGUST 19, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER

Ireland's new €53m. jet may struggle in fog as government rejects Israeli-made landing system

Ireland’s new government jet was purchased without FalconEye, an Elbit co-developed system that helps aircraft land in fog, despite officials denying any operational limits.

AUGUST 4, 2026ByJAMES GENN

Ireland's new government jet, which lacks the Elbit-manufactured FalconEye technology that allows it to land in fog.

'Queers for Palestine' and the intersectionality trap fueling antisemitism - analysis

How a theory of overlapping oppression became, for some, a framework for anti-Israel activism

JULY 28, 2026ByNEVILLE TELLER

Protesters in France hold a sign that reads FEMINISTS AND QUEER PEOPLE STAND WITH GAZA during the 2026 Suburban Pride which took place in Aubervilliers in support of LGBTQ people in working class neighborhoods in June.

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High Court urges int'l aid groups to drop petitions challenging Israel’s refusal to register them

The petitions concerned the registration framework through which international humanitarian organizations receive recommendations for visas and work permits for their foreign employees.

JULY 21, 2026BySARAH BEN-NUN

British lawmakers press government for immediate ban on Israeli West Bank settlement imports

“If settlements are illegal, why have we not made an outright ban on trade? What exactly is it that we’re waiting for?” said Abtisam Mohamed, a Labour politician.

JULY 14, 2026ByKELLY HARTOG/JTA