A Palestinian-led movement, BDS looks to end international support for Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and pressure Israel to comply with international law through boycotting its goods and services.
In a statement, the residents association said this decision – passed unanimously at a meeting last week – was taken in order to “stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine and to raise awareness of the complicity of these companies in genocide”.
For example, the boycott means the island’s only shop will stop stocking goods from Israel firms as well as its biggest supporters – including Coca Cola due to its alleged links to illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
This action is about solidarity, education, and contribution to a worldwide movement that has succeeded in pressuring businesses to cut economic ties with the apartheid state of Israel and end complicity in war crimes and operations in occupied territories.
The IERA added: “The action is not about creating an environment of hostility or policing individual choices. We embrace the inevitability of mistakes and imperfection, and prioritise the importance of community, unity and informed choices, encouraging each other to take action with the little bargaining power we have—our money. This is part of a continuous commitment to fundraising and solidarity with oppressed peoples”.
