Boycott goes prime-time in Israel

[Sweet_Caroline]

Here let me correct that for you:

Islamism is ethnic cleansing by Palestinian savages.

Islamism is baby killing, over 150,000 Christians killed in Lebanon by Palestinian savages.

Islamism is Occupation.

Islamism is genocide.

Islamism is Apartheid.

Islamism is racial discrimination.

Islamism is daily human rights abuses.

Islamism is stealing land from the indigenous people all over the world

Islamism is killing children with missiles from Gaza

BDS is Islamism in disguise.

And in our weakness, the power of God shall shine through and keep His promise to Israel.

Excellent. I owe you a rep when I can for that.

 

[Hossfly]

BDS is finished in the US. That pig won't fly.

BDS is finished everywhere.




The Boycott Mirage
by Efraim Inbar
Israel Hayom
February 6, 2014

The Boycott Mirage :: Middle East Forum

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US Secretary of State John Kerry is warning that Israel faces economic embargoes if a US-drafted framework agreement with the Palestinians fails to go forward. While the merits of the current American diplomatic initiative are debatable, Kerry's warnings clearly have a deleterious effect: they feed the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign being waged by Israel's enemies, and create the false impression that this campaign is a significant threat to Israel.

The BDS effort has thus far had little success. For the moment and for the near future, it constitutes a bearable nuisance for Israel, not more.


Anti-Israel protestors in Melbourne, Australia in June 2010. (Image source: Wikimedia/Takver)



Due to wise economic policies that have gradually distanced Israel from its socialist past, the Jewish state has adapted well to a globalized economy. With the exception of isolated cases, Israeli exports are well received all over the world, particularly if they are competitive in quality and price. Israel has found ways to penetrate important markets and Israeli products are even imported by Arab states. Moreover, some Israeli-made products have unique qualities which make them indispensable. Israeli high-tech components have become part of core embedded systems of many global brands. Most Israeli businessmen hardly meet obstacles that are connected to political animosity toward Israel.

Moreover, it is important to note that many previous American diplomatic efforts to bring peace in the Middle East have failed, yet this has not created long-term adversarial conditions for Israel – even if Israel was partly blamed for the lack of American success. The linkage between American diplomatic efforts and the fate of Israeli economy is tenuous, at best.

A survey of the international scene also indicates that the impact of BDS efforts is unlikely to grow dramatically in the coming years. Attempts to boycott Israeli products are unlikely to be successful in America, Israel's number one export country. American public support for Israel has remained stable for the past two decades at over 60 percent. A variety of legislative steps have already been adopted to prevent a boycott of Israeli products or institutions. Even the current administration, which has been more than once at loggerheads with Israel on Middle East issues, firmly states its opposition to BDS.

Several Western European states, prime recipients of Israel's exports, are indeed displaying a growing anti-Israel bias, despite good bilateral relations. Many Europeans have lost the shame of being anti-Semitic as Holocaust memories fade away. Therefore, a heightened boycott of Israeli products is conceivable. Yet as the Euro crisis lingers and the European population ages, the purchasing power of European countries is in decline. In addition, even in Europe there are strong pockets of pro-Israeli sentiment. The EU itself has announced that it has no plans whatsoever to boycott the Israeli economy. Israeli products originating beyond the Green Line are a different story, but only a small part of Israeli economic activity is sourced in the settlements.

Israeli exports are gradually, albeit too slowly, being redirected to Asian markets. The large Chinese and Indian economies are growing fast, and these societies do not carry historical anti-Semitic baggage. Moreover, Israel is generally viewed in Asia as a successful country and a model to be emulated. This is true even in Central Asian states whose populations are largely Muslim.

At the same time, the political clout of the Arab world – considered a natural ally of the Palestinians – is decreasing. The Arab world is in the midst of a deep political and socio-economic crisis, with failed states such as Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya. Egypt, the most important Arab state, faces tremendous domestic challenges and is allied with Israel against Islamic radicalism. Saudi Arabia is more concerned with the rise of Iran than the Palestinian issue, as is most of the Sunni world. Finally, the growing energy independence of the US diminishes Arab leverage.

Thus, Israel has overcome the boycott of the relatively stronger Arab world, and the BDS movement's attempts to harm the Israeli economy are unlikely to produce a different outcome.

Indeed, it takes a lot of imagination to see a concerted international effort to boycott the Jewish State. If Israel continues to make products with a clear qualitative edge at competitive prices, there will be many customers to buy them.

This leads to the conclusion that the boycott threat is exaggerated. Secretary Kerry is simply echoing the arguments of the Israeli political Left, which claims that an agreement with the Palestinians is the only way to escape international isolation. Moreover, irresponsible elements of the Left are asking for foreign pressure on Israel, realizing that they have no chance to change Israeli policies at the ballot box. The Left's electoral decline makes it more desperate and less democratic; hence its conclusion that "Israel has to be saved from herself" by the international community.

Fortunately, Israel is not internationally isolated and most of the world does not care enough about the Palestinians to sacrifice the benefits of good bilateral relations with Israel. Israel has the leeway to decide for itself what is good for its future.

Prof. Efraim Inbar, director of the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, is a professor of political studies at Bar-Ilan University, and a fellow at the Middle East Forum.

Related Topics: Arab-Israel conflict & diplomacy, Israel & Zionism, US policy | Efraim Inbar

This text may be reposted or forwarded so long as it is presented as an integral whole with complete and accurate information provided about its author, date, place of publication, and original URL.

 

[Roudy]

In six months the US will pass enough laws to make BDS equal to any other terrorist group like Hamas or Hezbollah.

 

[toastman]

Even some of most anti - Israelis criticize the BDS. Did you guys see what Finkelstein said about them?? He called the ma cult and said that their goal was the end of Israel:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol8xhTySKfM]Norman Finkelstein: BDS Movement is a 'Cult' part 1 - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Cajun]

Those who believe God and Satan are real speak of them.

And you don't think you post nonsense, Mrs. Sherri. What person in her right mind is going to be saying "Satan this" and "Satan that." It's almost like you are talking about your best friend.

I really don't believe in some little old devil. If you want to, be my guest. What I do believe in is that regardless of a group's religious beliefs, they should be able to practice these beliefs in peace without worrying about being killed over their beliefs. You apparently overlook what is happening to these people.

and?

 

[Sally]

Those who believe God and Satan are real speak of them.

I really don't believe in some little old devil. If you want to, be my guest. What I do believe in is that regardless of a group's religious beliefs, they should be able to practice these beliefs in peace without worrying about being killed over their beliefs. You apparently overlook what is happening to these people.

and?

And, perhaps you are as obsessed with the devil as Mrs. Sherri. If so, get some help or get an exorcism. Maybe there is a priest in Seattle who can help you with this.

 

[SherriMunnerlyn]

Silly Sally is so funny, as she continues to pretend Israel carries out no human rights abuses in Palestine and she spends every waking moment demonizing Muslims.

 

[Sweet_Caroline]

Silly Sally is so funny, as she continues to pretend Israel carries out no human rights abuses in Palestine and she spends every waking moment demonizing Muslims.

At least she posts on other forums. You, you only obsess about Jews.

 

[SherriMunnerlyn]

No laws proposed even make boycotts unlawful.

You are obviously terrified of BDS.

WHY are you not killing babies in Israel with the rest of the Zionist Cabal?

In six months the US will pass enough laws to make BDS equal to any other terrorist group like Hamas or Hezbollah.

 

[Sweet_Caroline]

No laws proposed even make boycotts unlawful.

You are obviously terrified of BDS.

WHY are you not killing babies in Israel with the rest of the Zionazis there?

In six months the US will pass enough laws to make BDS equal to any other terrorist group like Hamas or Hezbollah.

Your thinking is really warped.

 

[SherriMunnerlyn]

Does she really?

Why should I believe you about that?

Silly Sally is so funny, as she continues to pretend Israel carries out no human rights abuses in Palestine and she spends every waking moment demonizing Muslims.

At least she posts on other forums. You, you only obsess about Jews.

 

[Kondor3]

No laws proposed even make boycotts unlawful.

You are obviously terrified of BDS.

WHY are you not killing babies in Israel with the rest of the Zionazis there?

In six months the US will pass enough laws to make BDS equal to any other terrorist group like Hamas or Hezbollah.

Your thinking is really warped.

More like mentally ill, in a very real and clinical sense of the phrase...

 

[Roudy]

Silly Sally is so funny, as she continues to pretend Israel carries out no human rights abuses in Palestine and she spends every waking moment demonizing Muslims.

Muslims don't need any demonization, they do a good enough job themselves. Plus, when they have supporters like you why in the world would they need any enemies?

 

[Sweet_Caroline]

Does she really?

Why should I believe you about that?

Silly Sally is so funny, as she continues to pretend Israel carries out no human rights abuses in Palestine and she spends every waking moment demonizing Muslims.

At least she posts on other forums. You, you only obsess about Jews.

You never believe the truth so it is not surprising you won't believe me.

 

[SherriMunnerlyn]

Hatred of our enemies is good for BDS.

Abolitionists confronted the very same things BDS is now confronting in the US.

As BDS is hated by the enemies of equal rights for all in Palestine, the public will be educated about Israels human rights abuses and Apartheid In Palestine.


Gaining the ‘valuable hatred of their enemies,’ boycott movement is educating others

Philip Weiss*on February 8, 2014*

Congress is the*next battleground*for the boycott movement against Israel. Some congressmen are leaping to introduce legislation to stem these efforts. And the*Israelis are enraged*that John Kerry even dignified the boycott movement by mentioning it out loud.

From*Lord Charnwood’s Biography of Lincoln:

“If [the Abolitionists] did not gain love in the quarters where they might have looked for it, they gained the very valuable hatred of their enemies; for they goaded Southern politicians to fury and madness, of which the first symptom was their effort to suppress Abolitionist petitions in Congress. But above all they educated in their labor of thirty years, a school of opinion, not entirely in agreement with them but ready one day to revolt with decision from continued complicity in wrong.”

Gaining the 'valuable hatred of their enemies,' boycott movement is educating others

 

[Roudy]

No laws proposed even make boycotts unlawful.

You are obviously terrified of BDS.

WHY are you not killing babies in Israel with the rest of the Zionist Cabal?

In six months the US will pass enough laws to make BDS equal to any other terrorist group like Hamas or Hezbollah.

Keep deluding yourself. A law has passed in New York and another stronger nationwide anti BDS law is being proposed in the House at the Federal level. Most schools and universities have taken their own steps to ban BDS.

BDS IS KAPUT.

 

[SherriMunnerlyn]

Anything goes by Zionists, as they try to divert attention from Israels human rights abuses in Palestine that BDS is a moral response to.

lol

No laws proposed even make boycotts unlawful.

You are obviously terrified of BDS.

WHY are you not killing babies in Israel with the rest of the Zionazis there?

Your thinking is really warped.

More like mentally ill, in a very real and clinical sense of the phrase...

 

[Roudy]

Anything goes by Zionists, as they try to divert attention from Israels human rights abuses in Palestine that BDS is a moral response to.

lol

Your thinking is really warped.

More like mentally ill, in a very real and clinical sense of the phrase...

Palestinians are one of the worst human rights abusers in the world.

 

[toastman]

Anything goes by Zionists, as they try to divert attention from Israels human rights abuses in Palestine that BDS is a moral response to.

lol

Your thinking is really warped.

More like mentally ill, in a very real and clinical sense of the phrase...

Exhibit A

 

[Rat in the Hat]

Anything goes by Zionists, as they try to divert attention from Israels human rights abuses in Palestine that BDS is a moral response to.

lol

Your thinking is really warped.

More like mentally ill, in a very real and clinical sense of the phrase...

Giving jobs to the "Palestinians" at the SodaStream plant is a "human rights abuse"???

I wish more companies would "abuse" Americans like that.




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