Comments on: BDS harms peace and Palestinians

By: Becky Rowe

Becky Rowe — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 22:42:43 +0000

excellent comments, Jonathan.

By: Jonathan Zausmer

Jonathan Zausmer — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 21:49:07 +0000

I don't know what "the Left"is. I know what I said. With respect to annexation here is the issue: both the ultra-nationalist settler movement and extremist on "the left" wish to see one state between the sea and the Jordan river. The greater Israel movement seeks annexation of C as a first move. Now let us consider that C is 60% of the West Bank. The assets both real estate and natural are then controlled and used in a discriminatory way by Israel and the Palestinians are in bantustan type enclaves. Now lets consider that there is no annexation. Problem is you have de facto annexation ie, its the never never system where Israel rules Palestine forever under the shaky premise of "disputed" territories which no one outside Israel and in fact few jurists in Israel takes seriously. These spurious manipulations are very typical of the later era of apartheid South Africa and no one buys it. BDS is being spurred on and has been given a breath of fresh air by Netanyahu in his aggrandized settlement schemes. And by the way, two serious concrete pieces of evidence have definitively forecast an Arab majority. One is the Division of Jewish Demography and Statistics and a recent finding is by Israel Tax Authority. The government of Israel is committing the Jewish State to diplomatic harakiri, isolation and it's ultimate demise by supplying everything BDS needs.

By: Gary Cohen

Gary Cohen — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 21:14:43 +0000

This artciles simply points out the obvious, while at the same time ignoring the obvious. For sure, the BDS movement, as wtih so many like minded oragnisations and what I call the "false friends" of Palestine; are far more interested in demonizing and deligitimizing Israel than they are in helping the Palestinians or fostering a genuine and just peace between the Palestinians and Israel. However, the obvious which Ms Hart Newman chooses to ignore is that the irrepsonisble and severely flawed settlement policy of the current Israeli government, and if we are honest, previous governments, is like "mothers milk" to the BDS. Israel's settlement policy is problematic to say the least, and fair minded people across the world, even those who actually support Israel, find it hard to fathom announcements such as that of earlier this week; to build another 3000 homes in the E1 area. Altering our policies will not stop the BDS movement, however it will deny them fule for theri fire and will allow us to make our case to the world with conviction, not to mention building a fairer and more democratic society here in Israel.

By: Lorne Newman

Lorne Newman — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 20:56:15 +0000

"The reason is that Israel's government sees a greater Israel (real estate by biblical entitlement) as more important than the fact that this leads to a Jewish minority ruling an Arab majority and a possible apartheid type scenario."
I don't understand why the Left seems to imply that one day Israel will just annex the Palestinian territories and rule a majority (even though no such population census has ever been corroborated by an independent group) of Arabs. The Israelis have already withdrawn from the major populated areas leaving them to PA rule in Zone A. They are only building in areas not under PA rule hence the term 'disputed territories'. Besides, last week the Palestinians unilaterally upgraded their status at the UN on the way to an independent state. Apparently, the Left failed to inform them of their 'one state solution'.

By: Jonathan Zausmer

Jonathan Zausmer — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 20:33:25 +0000

You need to ask any black South African whether BDS was a factor in creating change. It was. They suffered but cheered it on. It wasn't the only factor but it was part of a process. BDS always hurts the poor but it is a terrible punishment on the whole economy and a humiliation which one should possibly avoid. Right now Israel is not standing on moral high ground due to its consistent settlement policy in the area designated for a Palestinian state. This is seen as bad faith and this is the reason the BDS movement gains increasing traction even though those who initiated it seek an Israel's destruction. It is dangerous, possibly lethal if it gains momentum. So why does Israel create the conditions for its momentum by continuing its stubborn settlement policies? The reason is that Israel's government sees a greater Israel (real estate by biblical entitlement) as more important than the fact that this leads to a Jewish minority ruling an Arab majority and a possible apartheid type scenario. The BDS movement has created the trap. Denialism of reality such as this article cause leaders in Israel to cheerfully walk into it believing in its own invincibility. Got it? I hope so because BDS will become brutal in the coming years.

By: Jonathan Zausmer

Jonathan Zausmer — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 20:33:25 +0000

By: Lorne Newman

Lorne Newman — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 19:18:47 +0000

Excellent article. The one thing in common I've noticed about all these anti-Israel groups is not that they have a love for the Palestinians or even care about them, they just have a hatred of Israel and Jews.

By: Lorne Newman

Lorne Newman — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 19:18:47 +0000