Rise of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, known as BDS, is a Palestinian-led campaign that calls for economic, cultural and academic pressure on Israel. It was launched by a call from a large coalition of Palestinian civil society groups, and its model is the international boycott movement against apartheid South Africa. The campaign states three demands: an end to the occupation of Arab lands, equal rights for Palestinian citizens of Israel, and the right of return of Palestinian refugees. Supporters see it as a nonviolent form of protest, while critics argue that it seeks to delegitimize Israel and that some of its aims would end its existence as a Jewish state. The movement has been strongly opposed by the Israeli government and has been the subject of legislation and legal disputes in several countries.

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