The call to boycott certain countries or companies is not to be considered a new movement. In the year 1959 the Anti-Apartheid Movement, (AAM) a British organisation became the center of the international movement that opposed South Africa’s system of apartheid. The AAM recorded their first major win in 1961 when South Africa was forced to leave the Commonwealth.
What they did was astonishing.
The AAM held a 3-day vigil in vicinity of the Commonwealth venue and had gathered like-minded allies in India, Canada and other Afro-Asian member states. In the following year, a resolution named as Resolution 1761, calling all member states to impose a trade boycott against South Africa was passed within the United Nations General Assembly. This resolution had imposed economic and other sanctions upon South Africa.
UN’s Security Council, in the year 1963, called for a partial arms ban against South Africa, however it was considered not mandatory under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
Imagine, what will a strong, willful and united hearts and minds can achieve today? These precedent cases have proven that the call to boycott would surely give an impact to anyone being boycotted and in this case, it is Israel.
The Impact
Earlier this year, on 30th January, Israel’s Finance Minister, Yair Lapid told the local Army Radio that the impending economic consequences of boycotts will be felt by all Israelis alike to the point that every “Israel citizen will feel (the consequences) straight in the pocket”. He also added that earlier this year, the annual cost to the economy is almost $20 billion and the loss of nearly 10,000 jobs. On February 9th, Netanyahu who previously set aside boycotts as “unethical and unjustified” now had convened a high-level ministerial meeting to discuss the increasing boycott threats.
The boycotts on products like dates and grapes that are grown in the occupied Jordan Valley on previous year had caused a $29 million loss. The head of agriculture committee in the Jordan Valley, Zvi Avner reported that sales of peppers and grapes that had been made to Western Europe has seen a decrease of about 50% and fresh herbs up to 40%.
Furthermore, in early last month, The US Federal Aviation Administration had ordered three US carriers that fly into Israel to stop the flight for 24 hours, in fear of their safety. Europe’s aviation regulator also followed this ban by urging airlines not to fly into Tel Aviv. This surely had caused many economical impacts upon Israel’s economy and image as a country.
And these signs of boycott are becoming widespread with Denska, Denmark’s largest bank announcing that it is boycotting Israel’s Bank Hapoalim due to its activities in the Palestinian territories. G4S, which is the largest security company in the world has also announced the termination of contracts that they have signed with Israel to which provided for the protection and security of the settlements.
If they are calling it quits, why are we still waiting for?
A Call For Humanity
On 9th July 2005, 171 Palestinian NGOs got together and started the campaign that is now being called as the BDS Movement. Boycott, Divestments, and Sanctions is a global campaign trying to garner economical and political pressure on Israel so that they will finally comply with the end goal of the movement, the end of Palestinian siege and occupation by Israel, the equality of Arab-Palestinian citizens living within Israel and the right of return for those Palestinians who seek refuge in other countries.
Even many well-known celebrities such as Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, Zayn Malik of One Direction, Madonna, Rihanna and many others have shown their support for the Palestinians who are under siege by the Israel. Other singers such as Roger Waters, Elvis Costello and Santana have also refused to play their concert in Israel. Humanity is what that drives them to boycott and call their fans around the world to be aware of what is happening in Palestine.
I implore you to seek inside your heart, where your humanity lies and join the call to boycott Israel and its cause.
Is it Black & White, or rather Grey?
This I admit, that there are no simple answer whenever it comes to boycotting, especially when one country’s economy simply depends on big multinational corporations (MNC) for its growth. However, it must be noted that the real target of the call to boycott is not to these companies, rather, the call to boycott is to Israel itself. What we want to achieve from the boycott is that these companies would finally withdraw their support to Israel.
I have yet to see any proper reasoning or facts stating that our economy might suffer some set backs due to the boycotting of these gigantic MNCs and if it does hurt our economy, well maybe that is the price that we all have to pay in order to teach these MNCs a lesson they will never forget, so that they will no longer be the pillar of strength for Israel and its cause.
What’s next?
Some of my friends wonder about the real effects that the boycott campaign has over Israel. However, all that they ever do was, unfortunately, wonder. It is just rather despondent seeing them being so oblivious of the fellow Muslims under siege and how they chose the easy way out; by not giving any thoughts or considerations at all so that they would not be guilt-ridden while consuming and using products produced by pro-Israeli companies.
While these friends of mine keep wondering and arguing, there are others taking matters into their own hands. They went all out with campaigning against the buying and using of Israel related products and also against those companies who “gallantly and valiantly” contribute to the Israeli cause. Some of them even give half of their allowances to support Palestinians and their cause. To these unsung heroes, I salute you.
Sure, it will take a longer time to actually make any difference if compared to being there and joining in the fight. However, we Muslims must do what we can, the most plausible way in order to help alleviate the non-stop oppression and aggression by the Israel against Palestine despite the countless times of calling for a cease fire.
Instead of questioning, arguing and wondering, why don’t you start off today by checking out what to boycott and finding out what to replace them with.
Muhammad Akmal Abdul Ghani
Ketua Media PEMBINA Alor Setar
Bachelor of Laws, LLB.
I completely agree with the author. Another point that i would like to stress, and highlight is the very principle of boycotting. It is not about the effect on their economy, the main thing is as any individual with sense of humanity is not to CONTRIBUTE towards the destruction of Palestine.
You should already be proud of yourself once your refrain yourself from buying such goods and services.
It’s good to have a target and clear view of the big picture. However there’s no harm to get the basic strong.
Also it is great to have celebrities and public figures championing our cause still each person have to step up and step in this matter.