US to label Israel boycott movement as ‘anti-Semitic’: Mike Pompeo

[MenInG]

The United States will label the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, which seeks to isolate Israel over its treatment of the Palestinians, as “anti-Semitic”, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, calling the movement “a cancer”.

Washington “will regard the global anti-Israel BDS campaign as anti-Semitic … We want to stand with all other nations that recognise the BDS movement for the cancer that it is,” Pompeo said in a joint appearance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Thursday.

The BDS campaign is a non-violent people-led movement that aims to economically pressure Israel into providing equal rights and a right of return to Palestinians.

Modelled on the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, it has inspired people from around the world to boycott businesses and academic and cultural institutions that have either a direct or indirect affiliation with Israel.

This includes companies associated with illegal Jewish settlements, those that provide services to the occupation, companies exploiting natural resources from Palestinian land and those that use Palestinians as cheap labour.

The UN human rights office has identified more than 200 companies linked directly or indirectly to illegal settlements, mostly from Israel and the US but also Germany and the Netherlands.

They include banking and tourism companies, as well as construction and technology firms.

Pompeo, who is in Israel as part of his last Middle East tour as US secretary of state, also said he would visit the Golan Heights, a territory Israel captured from Syria and occupied in the 1967 war.

“Today I’ll have the chance to visit the Golan Heights,” he said in Jerusalem on Thursday – a statement that marked a break from previous US administrations’ policy.

“The simple recognition of this as part of Israel, too, was a decision President Trump made [in 2019] that is historically important and simply a recognition of reality,” he said.

In March last year, Trump recognised the Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights when he signed a decree alongside Netanyahu at the White House.

The move was condemned by the international community, which does not recognise the land grab, while Syria called it a “blatant attack” on its sovereignty.

Pompeo is also expected to become the first US secretary of state ever to visit the Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank on Thursday.

The expected visit to the Psagot winery would be another dramatic break by the Trump administration with the international community – which sees such settlement enterprises as illegal – and the traditional US line on the Middle East conflict.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/19/pompeo-says-will-visit-israeli-occupied-golan-heights

 

[The Viper]

Palestinians slam Pompeo for setting ‘another illegal precedent’

Palestinians have accused Mike Pompeo of helping Israel tighten its control over the occupied West Bank after the United States secretary of state said products from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories can be labelled “Made in Israel”.

In a statement on Thursday, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement also rejected Pompeo’s assertion that the Palestinian-led campaign is anti-Semitic.

BDS is a grassroots movement that seeks to pressure Israel to respect international law by ending its occupation of the Palestinian territories, ensure equal rights to Palestinian citizens of the state, and respect the right of return of Palestinian refugees.

“The BDS movement for Palestinian freedom, justice and equality, stands with all those struggling for a more dignified, just and beautiful world,” the group said in its statement.

“With our many partners, we shall resist these McCarthyite attempts to intimidate and bully Palestinian, Israeli and international human rights defenders into accepting Israeli apartheid and settler-colonialism as fate.”

Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Pompeo said earlier on Thursday that the US plans to label BDS as “anti-Semitic” and would task the Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism with identifying groups engaged in BDS.

“I want you to know that we will immediately take steps to identify organisations that engage in hateful BDS conduct and withdraw US government support,” Pompeo said.

The BDS movement said in its statement that it rejected “all forms of racism, including anti-Jewish racism” and accused the US and Israel of trying to silence advocacy for Palestinian rights.

In a separate statement, the US State Department also signalled plans to label goods made in areas “where Israel exercises the relevant authorities”, including Area C of the occupied West Bank, as “Israel”, “Product of Israel” or “Made in Israel” when exporting them to the US.

More than 60 percent of the occupied West Bank is considered Area C, and it includes Jewish-only settlements.

US President Donald Trump’s administration broke with decades of US foreign policy last year to announce that the US no longer viewed Israel’s settlements as “inconsistent with international law”.

Under the Fourth Geneva Convention, it is illegal for an occupying power to move its civilian population into the territory it occupies.

After meeting with Netanyahu on Thursday morning, Pompeo travelled to the West Bank to visit the Psagot Winery in a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank that has a blend named after him.

Pompeo’s visit departed from the past policy that had kept top US officials away from the settlements.

But since taking office in 2017, Trump’s administration has pursued a staunchly pro-Israel policy, drawing the ire of Palestinian leaders who accused it of bias.

Among other measures, it has recognised Israel’s hold on the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and shuttered the Palestine Liberation Organization’s office in Washington, DC.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, condemned Pompeo’s visit to Psagot, calling it a “flagrant challenge to international legitimacy decisions”.

He accused the outgoing US administration of “active participation in the occupation of Palestinian lands”.

It is unclear whether Trump’s decision on settlement product labelling would be reversed by US President-elect Joe Biden’s incoming administration.
Pompeo also did not provide additional details about the Trump administration’s initiative or about what organisations would be at risk of losing funding.

Palestinian negotiator Hanan Ashrawi accused Pompeo of using Trump’s final weeks in office “to set yet another illegal precedent, violate international law and perhaps to advance his own future political ambitions”.

“Pompeo is intoxicated by apartheid wine stolen from Palestinian land. It is opportunistic and self-serving, and it damages the chances for peace,” Ashrawi told Reuters news agency.

The US-based rights group Human Rights Watch also said Pompeo had falsely equated peaceful support for boycotts of Israel with anti-Semitism.

“Instead of combating systemic racism and far-right extremism in the United States, the Trump administration is undermining the common fight against the scourge of antisemitism by equating it with peaceful advocacy of boycotts,” said Eric Goldstein, the group’s acting Middle East and North Africa director.

Jewish Voice for Peace Action, a liberal US-based movement, denounced the idea that BDS is anti-Semitic, as well. The group said BDS is part of a push for equal rights for Palestinians.
“We are proudly Jewish, proudly anti-Zionist, and proudly pro-BDS,” the group tweeted. “BDS is a powerful tool in the work for Palestinian rights.”

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/19/palestinians-slam-pompeo-setting-another-illegal-precedent

 

[The Viper]

Israel: Anger over controversial Mike Pompeo tour of settlement in occupied West Bank

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has become the first representative of any American administration to tour an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank.

In a highly symbolic and controversial act, Mr Pompeo visited the Israeli-owned Psagot winery near the Palestinian town of Ramallah.

The visit comes a year since the Trump administration upended decades of US Middle East policy by announcing it no longer considered Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be contrary to international law.

The visit has further fuelled Palestinian anger towards the Trump administration and the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinians deeply oppose the settlements which continue to be built on land they consider to be historically theirs for a future Palestinian state.

Speaking at a West Bank news conference, residents of the Palestinian town next to the Israeli settlement expressed their anger at the visit.

Muneef Traish, an Al-Bireh Municipality Council Member said: "We urge you to pass this message to the American people, to the people all over the world because of what Mr Pompeo is trying to do, he is trying to get legitimacy to the settlement activities in the West Bank against all rules and resolutions passed by the United Nations and by all international organisations."

And Sam Bahour, a Palestinian-American businessman, described Mr Pompeo's visit as "the act of a failed administration".

He said: "This settlement is one of a hundred or so settlements throughout the West Bank - all of them are illegal no matter who visits them or who does not...

"This is an illegal act, it is an act of a failed [Trump] administration, trying to make himself relevant when he is one month away from being a nobody."

Mr Pompeo arrived at the winery in a military helicopter and later flew north to the Golan Heights, captured by Israel from Syria in the 1967 war and later annexed in a move not recognised by the United Nations and most of the international community.

Under the Trump administration, major shifts in American policy in the Middle East have been pushed through to the delight of the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu.

Speaking at a news conference alongside Mike Pompeo, Mr Netanyahu said: "Thanks to President Trump, the US recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moved its embassy here.

"Thanks to President Trump, the United States recognised Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights."

He continued: "Thanks to President Trump, the US pulled out of the dangerous nuclear deal with Iran, placed crippling sanctions on the Iranian regime, and eliminated the mega-terrorist Qasem Soleimani.

"Thanks to President Trump, the United States proposed the first truly realistic plan for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

"And thanks to President Trump, Israel was able to forge peace with three Arab countries: the UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan."

The incoming administration of president-elect Joe Biden is not likely to reverse all the policy shifts, but is opposed to the continued settlement expansion.

Awkward confrontations between the Biden administration and the Israeli government are likely as settlement expansion continues.

Israel recently announced plans to build more than a thousand new homes in Givat Hamatos, a settlement between Jerusalem and the West Bank town of Bethlehem.

During his trip Mr Pompeo announced products made in settlements and sold in the United States can be labelled "Made in Israel".

And in another policy shift he said the State Department will now regard the anti-occupation campaign known as BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) as antisemitic and will stop government funding to groups supporting it.

This follows a longstanding Israeli government campaign to discredit the BDS movement as being fundamentally anti-Jewish.

BDS supporters say they are protesting against Israeli policy in the West Bank, including the presence of settlements, and seek to draw a distinction between being anti-Israeli and anti-Jewish.

Omar Shakir, Israel and Palestine director at Human Rights Watch, said: "US Secretary of State Pompeo is undermining the fight against antisemitism by equating it with peaceful boycotts.

"From Jim Crow South to apartheid South Africa, Americans have a long history of supporting boycotts. The Trump admin has no business tarring groups who do so."

https://news.sky.com/story/israel-a...-of-settlement-in-occupied-west-bank-12136492

 

[sweep_shot]

How is boycott anti-Semitic? LOL.

What about Israel's oppression?

USA shouldn't dictate what other countries do.

 

[KingKhanWC]

BDS movement is great.

Im happy to be antisemite according to this looney defintion.

 

[IMMY69]

and to think some people thought Trump was more pro Muslim then the Democrats

 

[cricketjoshila]

How is boycott anti-Semitic? LOL.

What about Israel's oppression?

USA shouldn't dictate what other countries do.

They should not dictate to others. But they surely can dictate what happens on US soil.

 

[KingKhanWC]

They should not dictate to others. But they surely can dictate what happens on US soil.

You cannot dictate to anyone what they should or should not spend their money. IF people dont want to spend money on Israeli goods, it's their right.

 

[sweep_shot]

They should not dictate to others. But they surely can dictate what happens on US soil.

Stop assuming every country is like India and every government is like BJP. LOL.

Trump is almost out.

I am not sure if you have even read the article. He was referring to global boycott.

 

[Thomaskutty]

Good move by Pompeo, it is an anti-semitic campaign. The BDS movement is a total flop anyway.

 

[sweep_shot]

Good move by Pompeo, it is an anti-semitic campaign. The BDS movement is a total flop anyway.

Now that Trump is almost out, how long do you think Pompeo will be here for?

Pompeo should depart soon.

 

[msaaim89]

BDS movement is great.

Im happy to be antisemite according to this looney defintion.

Have you boycotted any products? If so, which?

 

[KingKhanWC]

Have you boycotted any products? If so, which?

Plenty of products over the years. Some include.

HP, Caterpillar, Dates produced on stolen land and recently Puma. I used to like their clothing but since they sponsored the Zionist football team I wont buy them any longer.

 

[Giannis]

They should not dictate to others. But they surely can dictate what happens on US soil.

They can not dictate to American citizens. We are a democracy (supposedly), people can express themselves in whatever way they want and protest how they like -boycotting israeli products doesn't make one anti-semitic no more than boycotting chinese products make one anti-sinitic

 

[KingKhanWC]

Good move by Pompeo, it is an anti-semitic campaign. The BDS movement is a total flop anyway.

Care to explain why?

Political boycott of Israel in any shape is not attacking Jews. If Israel was majority Hindu, the same boycotts would take place.

 

[miandadrules]

Good move by Pompeo, it is an anti-semitic campaign. The BDS movement is a total flop anyway.

Care to share details?

The BDS campaign isn’t a monolith anyway.

 

[Zaz]

They can term it what they like The BDS movement is here to stay n will continue until palestine n palestinians are free

 

[Tubs]

Pathetic. Boycotts are part of the first amendment.

Maybe some people are a fan of BDS because they're anti-semitic, but that's a non-issue. Israeli foreign policy is the worst one on this planet, and the boycott is very welcome. I wish a China boycott was next, for the Uyghurs.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

It’s a stupid decision by the Americans.

Re the whole BDS thing why are so many people only willing to boycott the easy things?

Why not boycott Apple, Intel, Microsoft, Google etc given their links to Israel? Do BDS supporters love their iPhones and Android devices more than they love Palestinians?

 

[KingKhanWC]

It’s a stupid decision by the Americans.

Re the whole BDS thing why are so many people only willing to boycott the easy things?

Why not boycott Apple, Intel, Microsoft, Google etc given their links to Israel? Do BDS supporters love their iPhones and Android devices more than they love Palestinians?

Plenty do or have you conducted a survey from BDS supporters? I dont think you have ever met one in life.

 

[miandadrules]

It’s a stupid decision by the Americans.

Re the whole BDS thing why are so many people only willing to boycott the easy things?

Why not boycott Apple, Intel, Microsoft, Google etc given their links to Israel? Do BDS supporters love their iPhones and Android devices more than they love Palestinians?

Boycotts have a spectrum.

It’s an individuals right to chose where they fall on that spectrum.

The efficacy and effectiveness of where you land on the spectrum with regards tangible results is a different discussion.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Stop assuming every country is like India and every government is like BJP. LOL.

Trump is almost out.

I am not sure if you have even read the article. He was referring to global boycott.

Stop assuming every country will officially boycott Israel because some muslim countries do.

Trump? Almost every US President has been a Israeli Ally.

US has every right to not allow BDS to work on US soil and take action against it if they feel so.

 

[Varun]

Care to explain why?

Political boycott of Israel in any shape is not attacking Jews. If Israel was majority Hindu, the same boycotts would take place.

No no no.

Only boycott the things you don't use. And don't need.

 

[sweep_shot]

Stop assuming every country will officially boycott Israel because some muslim countries do.

Trump? Almost every US President has been a Israeli Ally.

US has every right to not allow BDS to work on US soil and take action against it if they feel so.

This is not what the article is saying.

It is true that every US president has been an Israeli ally. However, Trump is the only president who has done some outrageous things like moving embassy to Jerusalem. Declaring this boycott anti-Semitic is irresponsible. It shows how much of an inexperienced political rookie Trump is.

I know your fantasy may work in India but USA is different. Many of Trump's decisions get successfully overturned by US courts on a regular basis. Furthermore, both Pompeo and Trump are probably going to be out very soon as Biden takes over.

 

[IMMY69]

This is not what the article is saying. LOL.

It is true that every US president has been an Israeli ally. However, Trump is the only president who has done some outrageous things like moving embassy to Jerusalem. Declaring this boycott anti-Semitic is irresponsible. It shows how much of an inexperienced political rookie Trump is.

I know your fantasy may work in India but USA is different. Many of Trump's decisions get successfully overturned by US courts on a regular basis.

Pompeo is probably about to leave as Trump's term is almost over. So, his statement is irrelevant.

I've heard somewhere that Pompeo gets paid handsomely by the Jewish Lobby and is considering standing for the Presidency in 2024. So what he's doing in the Middle East now makes perfect sense.

its revolting to think that idiots like Pompeo and Trump have made it so far in life.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Stop assuming every country will officially boycott Israel because some muslim countries do.

Trump? Almost every US President has been a Israeli Ally.

US has every right to not allow BDS to work on US soil and take action against it if they feel so.

We know there is the concept of brotherhood among Muslims which is referred to as Ummah.

Would it be fair to assume there is scope for a loose alliance of states who's bond is to fight against Islamic nations?

 

[sweep_shot]

I've heard somewhere that Pompeo gets paid handsomely by the Jewish Lobby and is considering standing for the Presidency in 2024. So what he's doing in the Middle East now makes perfect sense.

its revolting to think that idiots like Pompeo and Trump have made it so far in life.

I doubt Pompeo or Trump can win in 2024. Trumpism was a fad. Trump has gotten about 70-millon votes but many of those votes came from anti-Trump Republicans. Not all Republican voters like him.

 

[IMMY69]

We know there is the concept of brotherhood among Muslims which is referred to as Ummah.

Would it be fair to assume there is scope for a loose alliance of states who's bond is to fight against Islamic nations?

You're way off the mark.
There can, however, be a loose alliance of countries which have right wing extremist leaders.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

You're way off the mark.
There can, however, be a loose alliance of countries which have right wing extremist leaders.

I was trying to get into the head of hindutvas who love Netenyahu and start worshipping statues of Trump if he says something Islamophobic. I was thinking, what would delight such a people most?

 

[Zaz]

We know there is the concept of brotherhood among Muslims which is referred to as Ummah.

Would it be fair to assume there is scope for a loose alliance of states who's bond is to fight against Islamic nations?

Theres certainly a group of people who have an alliance on PP to side with any other narrative than the one that is in favour of the islamic or muslim nations narrative

 

[cricketjoshila]

This is not what the article is saying.

It is true that every US president has been an Israeli ally. However, Trump is the only president who has done some outrageous things like moving embassy to Jerusalem. Declaring this boycott anti-Semitic is irresponsible. It shows how much of an inexperienced political rookie Trump is.

I know your fantasy may work in India but USA is different. Many of Trump's decisions get successfully overturned by US courts on a regular basis. Furthermore, both Pompeo and Trump are probably going to be out very soon as Biden takes over.

Let Biden or the courts overturn this then.

PP is neither a court nor are we judges.

Right now the only one who is fantasizing is you, hoping courts overturn this.

 

[sweep_shot]

Let Biden or the courts overturn this then.

PP is neither a court nor are we judges.

Right now the only one who is fantasizing is you, hoping courts overturn this.

This has not become a law yet.

PP is not a court but many PP members are US citizens. They have the rights to voice their opinions (agreement or disagreement).

 

[Nadeemp]

BDS movement is legit. On a personal level you don’t have to abide . Israel illegal occupation is a travesty.

 

[msaaim89]

Let Biden or the courts overturn this then.

PP is neither a court nor are we judges.

Right now the only one who is fantasizing is you, hoping courts overturn this.

You always post the same comment. Just because posters here aren't in power, doesn't mean discussion cannot be held. Using your logic we shouldn't be having any discussions at all.

BDS movement is legit. On a personal level you don’t have to abide . Israel illegal occupation is a travesty.

Seems to be having an effect as well otherwise there wouldn't be complaints.



Side note, found this link which provides boycott options with a justification:

https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/ethicalcampaigns/boycotts

 

[Markhor]

These are the same Republicans who concern troll about free speech.

I guess that argument flies out the window when politically expedient.