BDS rally for a free Palestine
The Justice for Palestine Magan-djin rally on August 11, 2024, marked the 310th day of the genocide in Gaza, with speakers highlighting the severe violence and the role of the U.S. in supplying munitions. Key points included the economic impact of boycotts, divestments, and sanctions such as Intel freezing a $2.5 billion factory in Israel and Samsung shutting down its Tel Aviv operation. The movement has seen significant successes, including a $69 million divestment from Caterpillar. Speakers emphasized the need for comprehensive sanctions and grassroots activism, urging continued support for the Palestinian struggle for freedom and justice. BDS has three modest demands: ‘to end the occupation of all Arab lands and dismantle the wall; recognise the rights of Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel; and respect the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes, per United Nations (‘UN’) Resolution 194.’
Omar Ashour from Falasteen Inc emphasized that BDS is a non-violent form of protest aimed at exposing and isolating businesses and institutions that support the occupation. BDS is a Palestinian-led movement inspired by the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. The movement seeks to end international support for Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and pressure Israel to comply with international law. Companies like HP and Sodastream support the occupation and contribute to the displacement of Palestinians. He said: “BDS has faced fierce objection and fighting from Israel the US and Europe. In the US alone, 38 states have passed bills and executive orders designed to discourage boycotts of Israel, [Crowd: SHAME!] definitely shame in a movement called the anti BDS laws
“Israel and its allies hate it when we expose their apartheid because they can no longer call Israel the only democracy in the Middle East. Israel, and its allies hate it when we expose their complicit businesses, so it no longer can call itself a startup nation, while many of its business is benefiting from an apartheid structure. Israel and its allies hate it when we expose their human rights shameful record and breaches to international law so it no longer can call itself an LGBTQ Haven whilst mass murdering children without mercy. Israel and its allies hate it when we speak. So keep speaking.“
