Activism and BDS Beat

Despite all attempts to bully BDS activists at UPenn into cancelling their historic conference, they have prevailed. Omar Barghouti, a human rights activist and founding member of the Palestinian civil society Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement in this video salutes PennBDS and all US activists who have adopted BDS as the most effective form of solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for freedom, justice and equality.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu sends his greetings and support to the participants and organizers of the 2012 National BDS Conference at the University of Pennsylvania.

Network terminology is becoming increasingly commonplace in Palestine activist circles, as well as among anti-Palestinian groups. We speak of “viral videos” and “links to the far right.” Anti-Palestinians have formed an “Israel Action Network” and refer to “Hubs of Delegitimization.” Are networks the latest innovation in an evolving arsenal of advocacy? Or just a catchy buzzword? The answer is neither.

A resolution to support the BDS movement was passed in a near-unanimous vote at Occupy Oakland’s general assembly on Wednesday evening.

Academic scholars visit Palestine on a fact-finding mission and urge their colleagues to join the academic boycott of Israel; London’s Museum of Natural History criticized for its links with settlement industry Ahava; and more.

Cindy Corrie is among several people appearing in a short video calling for solidarity with the Olympia Food Co-op in Olympia, Washington and condemning a lawsuit seeking to overturn the Co-op’s boycott of Israeli goods.

Leading queer voices write an impassioned statement and open petition calling for solidarity with Palestinians under occupation and oppression, expanded support of the BDS movement, and a rejection of Israel’s pinkwashing campaigns.

Punks Against Apartheid, the punk rock collective working to educate and mobilize musicians and fans in support of the BDS movement, has posted an open letter to Moldovan hardcore band Zdob si Zdub encouraging them to cancel their show in Tel Aviv and respect the global boycott call.

Hamas spokesperson Mushir al-Masri condems the Jerusalem Light Rail project and calls on French companies Veolia and Alstom to stop assisting the occupier and leave Jerusalem. Meanwhile Veolia Israel’s CEO says the company “won’t stop the train” if Israeli authorities do not approve Veolia’s deal with Egged to sell its shares in the light rail.

Noted French philosopher and political theorist Jacques Rancière has canceled a visit to Israel after an appeal by PACBI, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel.