What is BDS?

Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) is a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality. BDS upholds the simple principle that Palestinians are entitled to the exact same rights as the rest of humanity.

Israel is occupying and colonising Palestinian land, discriminating against Palestinian citizens of Israel and denying Palestinian refugees the right to return to their homes. Inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement, the BDS call urges action to stress Israel to comply with international law.

BDS is now a vibrant global movement made up of unions, academic associations, churches and grassroots movements across the globe. Eleven years since its launch, BDS is having a major impact and is successfully challenging international support for Israeli apartheid and settler-colonialism.

For almost seventy years, Israel has denied Palestinians their fundamental rights and has refused to comply with international law.

Israel maintains a regime of of settler colonialism, apartheid and occupation more than the Palestinian people. This is only possible simply because of international support. Governments fail to hold Israel to account, whilst corporations and institutions across the globe help Israel to oppress Palestinians.

Because those in power refuse to act to stop this injustice, Palestinian civil society has known as for a international citizens’ response of solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for freedom, justice and equality.

If you enjoyed this short article on bds movement and wish to understand more please see our site.