In recent weeks, the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement has logged several impressive achievements. The giant home-sharing Airbnb site announced Nov. 19 that it was removing listings of accommodations in Israeli settlements in “the occupied West Bank,” claiming they were at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — although the movement expressed disappointment that the decision did not cover listings in East Jerusalem.
Shortly after, on the Nov. 28th International Solidarity Day with the Palestinians, the Irish Senate moved forward with legislation boycotting products made in the Israeli settlements after Israel’s efforts failed to soften the language of the proposed bill. On the following day, Chile’s Congress gave overwhelming approval to a proposal calling on the government to boycott the settlements in any future agreements with Israel, and to re-examine past agreements. Lawmakers also decided to issue directions to all Chileans visiting Israel or doing business there to “ensure they will not support colonization or cooperate with the violation of human rights in the occupied territories.”
