The boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement, aiming to boycott Israel diplomatically, economically and culturally, engages for the most part left-wing pro-Palestinian groups around the world. They tend to adhere to it with the hope of weakening Israel internationally. But there is a substantial difference between the somewhat spontaneous activities of the BDS movement and the more structured policy attitudes and decisions by governments of possible sanctions against Israel. These include measures that could serve to pressure the Israeli government to agree to a political process leading to a two-state solution.

The BDS movement, by nature, is more anarchic, without a central mastermind or headquarters. It attracts people and organizations that wish to express solidarity with the Palestinian people under occupation.

The sanctions policies, on the other hand, are debated mostly within the European Union. They focus not on Israel proper, but primarily on Israeli activities and organizations in the occupied West Bank.

Inside the European Union there is an ongoing debate regarding the desirability and scope of sanctions and punitive resources in relation to the Israeli government's settlement policies. According to a senior source in the French Foreign Ministry who spoke with Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, France is considering sharp economic measures against Israeli goods and businesses east of the Green Line. Settlements, the French official argued, are illegal according to international law and the EU should not apply its agreements with Israel to them. Sharp economic measures would translate into labeling of goods exported from the settlements as such (and not as ''made in Israel''), and excluding Israeli academic, research and development and cultural institutions that are active in the West Bank from any European funds or grants. Brussels, according to this source, has toughened its stance on implementing these policies following Israel's March 17 elections.