For the last couple of years the Eco-Stream shop in Brighton has been targeted by the local branch of the so-called Palestine Solidarity Campaign. That's the one with the dubious patronage of Tony Greenstein a rather obsessive individual that campaigns against Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East.
For once the "comrades" don't get their own way and face regular and sustained opposition from the Sussex Friends of Israel group.
Photo: Sussex Friends of Israel
The "comrades" should take note of the Gatestone Institute report:
At university campuses in the US, Canada, Australia and Europe, they are hailed as heroes campaigning for Palestinian rights. But in Ramallah, ironically, activists belonging to the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions [BDS] movement are seen by the Palestinian Authority [PA] as trouble-makers and law-breakers.
For some PA officials, BDS is a movement that acts against the true interests of the Palestinians. They say that the actions of those promoting BDS make the Palestinians appear as if they are not interested in peace and coexistence with Israel. BDS activists in Ramallah have succeeded in preventing several planned meetings between Israelis and Palestinians in Ramallah and east Jerusalem.
The Palestinian Authority is also worried that BDS is harming the Palestinians' relations with other countries. The most recent example of BDS efforts to damage Palestinians' relations with friendly countries occurred a few weeks ago, when the "anti-normalization" activists tried to disrupt a performance by an Indian dance troupe in Ramallah.
A PA official in Ramallah explained that BDS and its followers make the Palestinians appear as if they are all radicals who are only interested in boycotting and delegitimizing Israel.
"This goes against the PLO's official policy, which is to seek a peace agreement with Israel based on the two-state solution," he said.
In the first case of its kind, four prominent BDS activists this week went on trial before a Palestinian Authority court for "provoking riots and breach of public tranquility."
The four men, Zeid Shuaibi, Abdel Jawad Hamayel, Fadi Quran and Fajr Harb, were detained by PA security forces after protesting against the performance of an Indian dance troupe.
In the first case of its kind, four prominent BDS activists this week went on trial before a Palestinian Authority court for "provoking riots and breach of public tranquility."
The four men, Zeid Shuaibi, Abdel Jawad Hamayel, Fadi Quran and Fajr Harb, were detained by PA security forces after protesting against the performance of an Indian dance troupe.
Time to stand with Israelis and Palestinians for a peaceful two state solution!
Hear, Hear!
ReplyDeleteBut it should not be forgotten that, at present, the most powerful obstacle to the two states solution that all fair and decent people want, is the leadership of the Israeli govenment.