Sanctions
|
Aims | Why | Do it yourself Given the current level and dependency of Israel upon global markets, particularly the technology and research sector, sanctions at a state, regional or institutional level may be the only effective measure to bring about effective pressure.
- Open the debate about sanctions on Israel. - Raise awareness of Israel's breaches of international law. A strong advocacy campaign can open up the issue to a wide audience and raise awareness of the Palestinian cause. - Highlight international complicity with Israeli breaches of even the most basic norms of international law and Human Rights. - Implementation of comprehensive sanctions against Israel encompassing military, trade and diplomacy ties. - Ending of Israel’s membership of various diplomatic and economic forums including the United Nations, WHO, Red Cross, WTO and OECD.
The argument for sanctions against Israel is a powerful one as Israel is in breach of almost all its obligations under international law. In particular, Israel’s acceptance into the United Nations was conditional on its acceptance and implementation of UN Resolution 194. This resolution affirms the right of all Palestinians to return to their homes and lands from where they were exiled in 1948, requires Israel to compensate for losses, and stipulates that Palestinians must be compensated and relocated should they choose not to return to their communities. Israel refuses to abide by this resolution along with many others. Israel is also in clear breach of the fourth Geneva Convention, which is the cornerstone of international humanitarian law that ensures minimum protections for civilians in armed conflict and occupation. Sanctions would ensure that that Israeli apartheid and occupation become unprofitable and finally untenable, catalyze an anti-Zionist movement in Israeli society and boost the morale of those struggling under Occupation.
The principle problem of sanctions is that action rests on states and global institutions, many of whom have a long history of supporting or implementing colonialism and occupations in the Middle East. However, a campaign for sanctions can be very effective in raising public awareness as government measures are often perceived by the general public to have more 'legitimacy' than boycotts and pickets by activists. There are three areas to which sanctions can be applied:
1. Start a letter writing campaign to your governmental representative or Parliamentarians are often surprisingly ignorant of international politics: many are focused mostly on parochial issues. They need to be made aware that Israel's breaches of international law are a matter of serious concern to their constituents. Start an email or post card campaign addressing your representative or organize Lobbying Days when concerned constituents speak to them in person, highlighting Israel's breaches of International law and the situation on the ground in the West Bank and Gaza. Encourage them to raise the matter in the national parliament and call for sanctions.
2. Pressure on supra-national bodies If you have representation in a supra-national body, apply similar pressure. For example, in summer 2004 the Non-Aligned Movement gave a hesitant indication that they might move towards sanctions. Pressure your government not to shelve this point but to implement it. If you are European citizen, find out who your member of the European Parliament is and write to them pointing at the EU Neighbourhood Policy and the free trade and research agreements with Israel and the fact that they involve Europe and its citizens directly with Israeli violations of human rights and international law. The OECD has recently invited Israel to become a member – though the state is in grave breach of many of its core principles. Join the campaign to stop their accession to membership.
3. Establish a local campaign group to put pressure on politicians Pressure is more effective from a coordinated group than from individuals. In most countries, solidarity groups and human rights organizations have already started calls for sanctions. Join these groups or, where not possible, organize a local campaign group to spread the word about putting pressure on politicians. Draft a standard letter and circulate it by email or post. Spread the word by having your campaign group arrange meetings and speakers and invite other members of the public. Check out activist material and links for more resources. |
News
Bristol Council approves Motion for Sanctions against Israel Posted by RORCoalition on Fri, 07/02/2010 - 16:02
Wed 30 June 2010 - Late yesterday evening, after a long debate, a motion condemning Israeli aggression and its blockade of Gaza, was carried at the full Council Meeting in Bristol.
The motion read:-
9. MOTIONS [CPR 2.1(2)(xi)] A COUNCILLOR J KIELY TO MOVE: Norway cancels military seminar with Israel Posted by RORCoalition on Thu, 06/03/2010 - 21:00
[YNet] 4 June 2010 - Norway's military says it has canceled a special operations seminar because the Defense Ministry objected to the inclusion of an Israeli army officer in the program.
Nicaragua suspends diplomatic ties with Israel Posted by RORCoalition on Thu, 06/03/2010 - 08:42
AFP [YNet] 2 June 2010 - Managua slams 'illegal nature of attack on Gaza aid flotilla, reiterates support for Palestinians
South Africa recalls envoy from Israel Posted by RORCoalition on Wed, 06/02/2010 - 21:00
AFP [Capital News (Kenya)] JOHANNESBURG, Jun 3 - South Africa is recalling its ambassador to Israel in the wake of the deadly raid on an aid convoy bound for the Gaza Strip, a government said on Thursday.
Nicaragua suspends diplomatic ties with Israel Posted by RORCoalition on Tue, 06/01/2010 - 21:00
AFP [YNet] 2 June 2010 - Nicaragua suspended diplomatic ties with Israel on Tuesday in protest at Israel's raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla that killed nine people, President Daniel Ortega's office said.
Australia: Israeli diplomat expelled over fake passport affair Posted by RORCoalition on Mon, 05/24/2010 - 09:34
Emma Rodgers [ABC News] 24 May 2010 - The Federal Government is expelling an Israeli diplomat after it found Israel faked Australian passports that were used in a hit on a top Hamas leader in Dubai.
Truth in labeling: EU court challenges "Made in Israel" Posted by RORCoalition on Wed, 03/10/2010 - 06:00
Phon van den Biesen and Adri Nieuwhof, [Electronic Intifada], 10 March 2010 - On 25 February, the European Court of Justice ruled that imports manufactured in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank shouldn't benefit from a trade agreement between Israel and the European Union.
Video: Russell tribunal says sanction Israel Posted by RORCoalition on Tue, 03/09/2010 - 09:37
8 March 2010 [Real News Network] This week the Russell Tribunal on Palestine ruled in Barcelona, Spain on six questions concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
EU court: West Bank goods are not Israeli Posted by RORCoalition on Fri, 02/26/2010 - 09:37
25 February 2010 [Associated Press] - EU high court says Israeli goods made in West Bank fall outside of EU-Israel trade accord.
n/a
BDS Newsletter #16 - June 2009 Posted by StopTheWall on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 09:30
[Stop the Wall] - This edition of the Stop the Wall BDS newsletter covers the many BDS protests and new campaign launches that occurred in France, USA and Canada. New groups took up BDS this month in Canada and Germany. Several victories are also covered, among them Veolia and Dexia Israel. Key Dutch party: Sanctions against Israel if it thwarts peace Posted by OPGAI on Tue, 04/14/2009 - 13:31
Cnaan Liphshiz [Haaretz] 11 April 2009 -- The Netherlands must impose economic sanctions against Israel if the new government in Jerusalem thwarts the peace process with the Palestinians, the Dutch Labor party said last week. Qatar, Mauritania freeze Israel ties over Gaza Posted by OPGAI on Sat, 01/17/2009 - 10:38
By Lin Noueihed and John Irish, DOHA/DUBAI (Reuters) - Qatar and Mauritania froze ties with Israel on Friday over its three-week-old offensive on Gaza and a meeting of Arab and Muslim leaders in Doha called for a suspension of the Arab peace initiative with the Jewi Venezuela Follows Bolivia, Cuts Diplomatic Ties with Israel Posted by StopTheWall on Thu, 01/15/2009 - 07:51
Venezuela has joined Bolivia in severing ties with Israel in protest against its war in the Gaza Strip, which has left more than 1,000 Palestinians dead. Bolivia Cuts Ties with Israel Posted by StopTheWall on Thu, 01/15/2009 - 07:49
Evo Morales, the president of Bolivia, says he is breaking off ties with Israel in protest against its war in Gaza, which has left more than 1,000 Palestinians dead. BDS Pressure in Greece Leads to Cancellation of US Arms Shipment to Israel Posted by OPGAI on Wed, 01/14/2009 - 07:49
WASHINGTON (AFP)--The U.S. military has to had to cancel a planned shipment of munitions from a Greek port to a U.S. warehouse in Israel due to objections from Athens, a Pentagon spokesman said on Tuesday.
Norway Mobilizes for BDS Posted by StopTheWall on Sat, 01/10/2009 - 13:05
Norway has been the site of a flurry of Palestine solidarity activism and BDS initiatives over the past week, as tens of thousand of people have called for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador to Oslo, and major trade unions are mobilizing in support of a comprehensive boycott and divestment campaign. Jordan Recalls Ambassador to Israel Posted by StopTheWall on Sat, 01/10/2009 - 12:58
Jordan has recalled its ambassador to Israel in an apparent act of protest against the IDF's offensive in Gaza. South Africans Call for Sanctions on Israel Posted by StopTheWall on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 12:57
A number of prominent South Africans have condemned the brutal attacks currently being perpetrated by the Israeli army in Gaza, and have called for diplomatic sanctions as a response. Urgent Action Alert!! - Against the EU-Israel Association Agreement Posted by StopTheWall on Mon, 12/01/2008 - 15:07
The European Parliament (EP) has recently announced that a vote will be held on December 4 to enter into force the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which will enable far greater Israeli participation in European Community programs. General Confederation of Trade Unions in Bergen district holds seminar to follow up BDS motion Posted by StopTheWall on Sun, 10/12/2008 - 09:16
Among the speakers at the seminar entitled “Boycott of Israel - how and why?” are the former leader of the Norwegian Peoples Aid, Finn Erik Thoresen, who was also active in the struggle against Apartheid in South Africa, as well as Olav Terje Bergo, who is the editor of Bergensavisen, a local newspaper , that has in the past called for sanctions against Israel. Alert: Tell the UK government not to rent Tel Aviv Embassy from settlement-builder Leviev Posted by OPGAI on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 15:32
FROM: Architects & Planners for Justice in Palestine, the village of Bil’in, the village of Jayyous, Palestine Derail the Free Trade Agreement between the Mercosur and Israel! Posted by StopTheWall on Thu, 04/10/2008 - 05:00
Open Letter from the BNC* to the Brazilian People - We write to express our support for the Brazilian people in their struggle against the Mercosur-Israel FTA agreement and convey our thanks to those who have taken up the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS). Greens urge economic pressure and cutoff of all military aid to Israel as Gaza situation worsens Posted by StopTheWall on Mon, 03/03/2008 - 06:00
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES: Demanding an end to illegal occupation of Palestinian lands, Greens urge widespread grassroots support for the Palestine BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) Campaign Greens blast Clinton, Obama, and McCain for uncritical support of Israel despite mounting crimes UK: Influential Parliamentary Committee recommends suspension of key Israeli trade agreement Posted by IndiaSolidarity on Fri, 11/02/2007 - 06:27
The UK House of Commons International Development Select Committee called on the Labour government to press for sanctions against Israel over its treatment of the Palestinian people. Norway: Leftist government party renews support for Sanctions and Divestment Posted by IndiaSolidarity on Fri, 11/02/2007 - 06:25
The Socialist Left Party, one of three parties in the Norwegian government, has renewed its support for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel. Kuwaitis seek enforcement of ban on Israeli Apartheid Posted by IndiaSolidarity on Fri, 11/02/2007 - 06:23
At the beginning of May, five lawmakers in the Gulf state of Kuwait submitted draft legislation that calls for a total ban on any relations with the Occupation and asks hefty penalties for anyone who breaks the law. |
