‘Look Who Is Talking’: BDS Co-Founder Rejects Netanyahu’s Anti-Semitic Allegations
‘Look Who Is Talking’: BDS Co-Founder Rejects Netanyahu’s Anti-Semitic Allegations
Palestinian writer and co-founder of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, Omar Barghouti, refuted claims of antisemitism on Sunday, stating that the movement does not aim to target Jewish identity.
Originating from Palestinian civil society organizations in 2005, BDS promotes political and economic measures against Israel in light of its treatment of Palestinians. The movement frequently faces allegations of antisemitism from Israel and its primary supporter, the United States. Barghouti has previously expressed that the movement “firmly rejects all forms of racism, including Islamophobia and antisemitism.” In an interview with Al Jazeera, Omar discussed the history of peaceful Palestinian resistance, its significance, and its success in advocating for Palestinian rights. Regarding the inception of the BDS movement, he emphasized its demands for self-determination, ending the occupation, and allowing refugees the right to return. He stated, “By concentrating on these three rights, BDS addresses the fundamental rights outlined under international law.”
During Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, the movement has gained traction globally yet has faced heightened criticism and threats from Israel’s allies. In 2014, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused supporters of the BDS movement of promoting antisemitism, claiming that the initiative aimed to bring about “the end of the Jewish state,” as reported by The Guardian. In response to this criticism, Barghouti remarked, “Look who is talking.” He added, “Israel’s leaders are fostering antisemitism like never before. They are allied with the world’s fascists,” and pointed out that Israeli officials have strong connections with fascists such as “extreme Christian Zionist zealots in the US,” who, despite being “anti-semitic, have a fondness for Israel.” Barghouti also emphasized that “BDS focuses on Israel’s system of oppression rather than targeting any identity itself.”
He remarked: “Claiming that criticizing Israel or Zionism is anti-Semitic is, in itself, an anti-Semitic assertion because it conflates Israel and Zionism with all Jewish people.” Addressing the situation in Gaza, he mentioned, “This is a policy of the far-right fascist government in Israel. It has no relation to Jewish identity or Judaism.” When discussing intimidation and threats, Barghouti expressed, “I’m speaking out more strongly than ever, so their tactics are ineffective. Indeed, they’ve attempted everything.”
“My reaction to each segment of intimidation is, do more.”
He additionally highlighted the aid for the movement with the assistance of the Jewish community, pointing out, “They recognize that there’s nothing Jewish about Israel’s profession, settler colonialism, ethnic cleansing, apartheid or genocide, and therefore, there’s nothing anti-Jewish in assisting BDS to dismantle those systems, those structures of oppression and those crimes.”
People power
The co-founder of the BDS movement stated that it “links the struggle for Palestinian liberation to end global complicity, which implies that we cannot put an end to the occupation … without addressing the complicity of states, corporations, and institutions. In brief, the BDS movement’s theory of change operates from the grassroots level to the highest echelons of power.“ He continued, “It’s essential to cultivate people power, which manifests in various ways: forming intersectional coalitions, harnessing media influence, utilizing strategic litigation, and having the capacity to disrupt existing power structures, among others, peacefully.“
He also addresses the involvement of Western nations like the US, UK, and Germany in supporting Israel, stating, “Without these connections of complicity, Israel cannot sustain its entire system of oppression.“ Eliminating those “connections of complicity“ can more effectively reinforce Palestinian resistance against the system of oppression and ultimately dismantle it, he noted. He pointed to instances in India, Algeria, and South Africa where people overcame robust oppressive regimes. He remarked, “And it required a significant amount of international solidarity. It was not solely about internal resistance; external support is crucial to this fight.“
He stated regarding the movement’s success, “We are effectively challenging the established powers.“ He brought attention to the Norwegian sovereign fund, which recently pulled out its $500 million investment in Israeli bonds due to pressure from Norway’s largest trade union, a supporter of BDS. Barghouti also referenced Intel’s decision to cancel a $25 billion investment project near Tel Aviv, located 15 miles from Gaza. In December last year, PUMA, another global company, ceased its sponsorship with the Israel Football Association after being mentioned in the worldwide boycott campaign in 2018.
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