As part of a regular feature, The Electronic Intifada reports on the latest developments of the Palestinian-led global boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israeli violations of human rights and policies of apartheid.

BDS campaigners scored a significant victory this month as the London Borough of Tower Hamlets voted to exclude Veolia, a French firm that has provided services to the Israeli occupation in the West Bank, from receiving any contracts with the municipality. Activists have also staged protests and launched campaigns in Ireland, Belgium, Palestine.

Tower Hamlets council in London has become the second UK local authority to pass a motion to exclude Veolia from local procurement contracts over its complicity with Israeli violations of international law.

The motion, which was moved by councillor Harun Miah of the Respect Party, was passed at a full meeting of Tower Hamlets council on February 2.

The motion requests that the Mayor of Tower Hamlets writes to Veolia to explain the council's determination not to work with Veol

Ahava's goods, processed on stolen Palestinian land, are becoming too hot to handle. Leading British retail business John Lewis is now refusing to stock this toxic brand. Canadian retailer The Bay has also confirmed that it had also discontinued sales of Ahava products.

A pro-Palestinian pressure group claimed success last week after Edinburgh Council rejected an attempt by a controversial firm to take over a range of public contracts.

The Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) had argued that Veolia should be ex

4th October 2010

Brendan Barber General Secretary Trades Union Congress Congress House Great Russell Street London WC1B 3LS

Dear Mr Barber,

The Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee (BNC), of which all of Palestinian trade union federations are members, warmly welcomes the recent passing of a motion at the UK Trades Union Congress (TUC) that sets out plans for boycotting the products of and divesting from Israeli and international companies that are implicated in Israel's occupation and colonial settlements.

The global trade union movement has consistently demons

Occupied Ramallah, 9 September 2010 -- The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) warmly salutes the tens of American and British theater, film and TV artists for their recently published statement [1] supporting the spreading cultural boycott of Ariel and the r