The United Nations and BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions): Modern Antisemitism

UN-Accredited NGOs

NGO Action News Entries

  • July 14, 2022: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, July 14, 2022," Al-Haq

    "On 13 July, Al Haq informed that the organization sent letters to several corporations which are highlighted in Al-Haq’s upcoming report on corporate complicity in denying Palestinian’s access to and pillaging of water resources in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), in violation of Palestinians’ right to self-determination and permanent sovereignty over natural resources. Al-Haq called upon all corporate actors doing business in the OPT, to act with due diligence to avoid further involvement in serious human rights violations and war crimes. Al-Haq called on the corporations involved to comply with their responsibilities under international law, including disengagement."

    Editor's note: The words "Al-Haq" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:
    "Al-Haq calls upon the corporations listed above, and all corporate actors doing business in the OPT, to act with enhanced due diligence to avoid further involvement in serious human rights violations and war crimes in the OPT. Al-Haq calls on the corporations involved to comment on their actions within the OPT, and to comply with their responsibilities under international law, including disengagement."

  • February 3, 2022: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, February 3, 2022," European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine

    "On 1 February, the European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine published an article informing that an inter-parliamentary task force of legislators from Europe and North America met to discuss various legislative options that lawmakers can pursue to end the import of goods produced in illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian Territory, including by Israeli settlers."

    Editor's note: The words "European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:
    "Legislators from Europe and North America met yesterday to discuss various legislative options that lawmakers can pursue to end the import of goods produced in illegal settlements in occupied territory, including by Israeli settlers in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt)."

  • October 7, 2021: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, October 7, 2021," Al-Haq

    "• On 29 September, Al-Haq informed about a new report on financial transactions between 672 European financial institutions and 50 businesses actively involved with Israeli settlements, in the period January 2018 to May 2021. This report is published by the “Don’t Buy into Occupation” coalition, a cross-regional coalition of Palestinian and European NGOs."

  • August 19, 2021: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, August 19, 2021," U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights

    "On 12 August, a group of US–based CSOs – Adalah Justice Project, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, Movement for Black Lives (M4BL), Vermonters for Justice in Palestine, Palestine Legal, American Friends Service Committee, BDS Movement, Jewish Voice for Peace – issued the press release “Where We Stand on Ben & Jerry’s” in which they call on individuals and organisations to support Ben & Jerry’s board decision to not renew its licensing agreement in Israel when it expires at the end of 2022, to organise against laws limiting freedom of protest and boycott, and to support Palestinians against Israel’s policies and actions."

    Editor's note: The words "US–based CSOs" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:
    "Recent statements by the board of Ben & Jerry’s have confirmed the company will not renew its licensing agreement in Israel when it expires at the end of 2022. This effectively means the licensee will not sell or manufacture Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in Israel or its illegal settlements... Express support for Ben & Jerry’s board decision, urge Unilever to publicly uphold and support the decision and Board Chair Mittal. Call on other companies to follow suit... Learn how to support or plug into existing BDS campaigns here."

  • June 10, 2021: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, June 10, 2021," Al-Haq

    "On 9 June, Al-Haq issued a press release welcoming the drafting and tabling of a bill in the Chilean Parliament prohibiting the importation of goods produced in and sourced from illegal settlements in occupied territories. If passed, the bill will prevent the importation of any goods, products, or services originating in Israel’s illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)."

    Editor's note: The words "Al-Haq" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:
    "Al-Haq welcomes the drafting and tabling of a bill in the Chilean Parliament prohibiting the importation of goods produced in and sourced from illegal settlements in occupied territories. The resolution will prevent the importation of any goods, products, or services originating in Israel’s illegal colonial settlements across Palestine. If passed, the law will punish the importation of such products and services imposing criminal penalties on violators, with fines up to five times the customs value of the illegally sourced goods."

  • May 20, 2021: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, May 20, 2021," U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights

    "On 19 May, the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights launched the campaign “Tell Congress: End US Complicity in Israel’s Abuses of Palestinians” prompting the public to send letters to Congress to demand the end of US military funding for Israel, to support sanctions on Israel and elevate the Palestinian call for freedom and safety."

    Editor's note: The words "US Campaign for Palestinian Rights" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:
    "Each year, $3,800,000,000 of our tax dollars are invested in Israel’s oppression of Palestinians. The U.S. provides Israel with unconditional diplomatic support and military funding, and Israel uses U.S. backing to act with impunity: stealing Palestinian land, entrenching its apartheid regime, and prolonging its blockade on Gaza... Our demand is simple: stop bankrolling ethnic cleansing and apartheid, and start investing in health and safety for all... Send a letter to Congress to demand the following: End U.S. military funding for Israel, support sanctions on Israel, and elevate the Palestinian call for freedom and safety."

  • February 25, 2021: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, February 25, 2021," European Coordination of Committers and Associations for Palestine

    "On 18 February, the European Coordination of Committers and Associations for Palestine (ECCP) published the report “UN Database: Six Complicit Companies Receiving EU Taxpayers Money” to denounce that six companies listed for their direct complicity with illegal Israeli settlements, including Alstom and JCB, received EU funds through two research programmes – the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) from 2007 to 2013, and the Horizon 2020 programme from 2014 to 2020."

    Editor's note: The words "the European Coordination of Committers and Associations for Palestine (ECCP)" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:
    "The six companies presented below are listed on the UN database, published along the Report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (A/HCR/43/71) in February 2020, for their complicity with serious breaches of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (1). The database lists 112 companies which have been found, following extensive consultation and research by the UN, to be involved in substantial and material illegal settlement-related business activities. This is a significant tool that helps states, businesses and civil society to ensure that companies are not involved or complicit in gross violations through their activities and relationships in such contexts. In addition, the UN database is an important model for global and European efforts towards regulated corporate conduct and respect for human rights, the environment, and international law."

  • December 31, 2020: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, December 31, 2020," Al-Haq

    "On 28 December 2020, Al-Haq sent letters to the High Representative of the European Commission, the Executive Vice President and European Union (EU) Commissioner for Trade, and EU Member States with diplomatic representatives in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), welcoming and calling on them to support the principled initiative of the 46 MEPs, representing most of the European Parliament’s political groups, to ban trade with, and support for illegal settlements established in occupied territories."

    Editor's note: The words "Al-Haq" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:
    "On 28 December 2020, Al-Haq sent letters to the High Representative of the European Commission, the Executive Vice President and European Union (EU) Commissioner for Trade, and EU Member States with diplomatic representatives in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), welcoming and calling on them to support the principled initiative of the 46 MEPs, representing most of the European Parliament’s political groups, to ban trade with, and support for, illegal settlements established in occupied territories."

  • December 3, 2020: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, December 3, 2020," Amnesty International

    "On 19 November, Amnesty International USA issued a statement in response to the United States Department of State announcement designating the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement as antisemitic and planning to identify organizations supporting BDS with a view to reviewing and halting their funding. The statement condemns the new policy, saying that “The Department of State’s targeting of groups advocating for using peaceful means, such as boycotts, to end human rights violations against Palestinians as antisemitic violates freedom of expression and is a gift to those who seek to silence, harass, intimidate and oppress those standing up for human rights around the world."

    Editor's note: The words "Amnesty International USA" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:
    "Responding to the United States Department of State announcement designating the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement as antisemitic and planning to identify organizations supporting BDS with a view to reviewing and halting their funding, Bob Goodfellow, the Interim Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, issued the below statement: 'The Department of State’s targeting of groups advocating for using peaceful means, such as boycotts, to end human rights violations against Palestinians as antisemitic violates freedom of expression and is a gift to those who seek to silence, harass, intimidate and oppress those standing up for human rights around the world.'"

  • August 20, 2020: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, August 20, 2020," Jewish Voice for Peace

    "On 13 August, Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) issued the statement “We’re Not Buying It: Stop All Israeli Land Grands, Stop All Israeli Rights Violations” in response to Israel’s recent claim of suspending any attempt to annex Palestinian land, through Israel’s new trade agreement with the UAE. JVP stated such claim does nothing to halt the ongoing creeping annexation or the apartheid regime it imposes on Palestinians. JVP added that the US-brokered deal between Israel and the UAE was merely the latest example of governments trading away Palestinian rights and the pressures needed to be kept up on US government to stop enabling Israeli violations."

    Editor's note: The words "Jewish Voice for Peace" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:
    "...we need to keep up the pressure on our own government to stop enabling Israeli violations... directly through campaigns like the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement using non-violent pressure directly on Israel."

  • August 6, 2020: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, August 6, 2020," Al-Haq

    "On 6 August, Al-Haq and Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights (CLAIHR) announced they are seeking to intervene in the Kattenburg v. Canada (Attorney General) case on the labelling of products from illegal Israeli settlements. The NGOs argue that a Canadian decision-maker, when determining whether product labels on commercial goods can refer to illegal settlements as Israeli territory, must consider international human rights agreements and make a decision that is consistent with Canada's obligations under international law."

    Editor's note: The words "Al-Haq and Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights (CLAIHR)" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:
    "CLAIHR's and Al-Haq's position is that in deciding to permit these "Product of Israel" wine labels, the CFIA [Canadian Food Inspection Agency] did not adequately consider Canada's obligations under international law... When reaching its wine labelling decision, the CFIA should have considered the ways Israel's settlements in the OPT and, in turn, the businesses that operate in these territories, breach international law."

  • June 18, 2020: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, June 18, 2020," European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine

    "On 11 June, the European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine (ECCP) welcomed the European Court of Human Rights' unanimous ruling that France's High Court's conviction of 11 activists calling for a boycott of Israeli products on sale in supermarkets violated the European Convention on Human Rights' freedom of expression article. ECCP stated that the European Court's decision comes at a time of widespread condemnation of Israel's plans to formally annex large swathes of the OPT."

    Editor's note: The words "European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:
    "Palestinian civil society has reminded states of their obligations to adopt "lawful countermeasures," including a ban on "arms trade and military-security cooperation with Israel" and on trade with Israel's illegal settlements."

  • December 12, 2019: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, December 12, 2019," Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights

    "On 10 December, Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights (LPHR) filed a human rights complaint against JCB (J.C. Bamford Excavators Ltd.), a world-leading construction equipment company headquartered in the United Kingdom, to the UK National Contact Point for the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. LPHR provided evidence that JCB products were used in demolitions relating to incidents in ten villages or areas in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) between 2016 and 2019."

    Editor's note: The words "Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights (LPHR)" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:
    "LPHR concludes its complaint by requesting that JCB: immediately suspend supply of products to Comasco (an Israeli company which is the exclusive dealer of JCB products in Israel) that could be identified as being part of the supply chain that results in demolitions or settlement-related construction, and to permanently cease supply to Comasco should it not be able to provide credible and verifiable guarantees that such products will not be involved in the violation of Palestinian human rights;"

  • December 2, 2019: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, December 2, 2019"

    "On 26 November, Al-Haq received the 2019 Human Rights and Business Award at the annual United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva for "outstanding work by human rights defenders in the Global South or former Soviet Union addressing the human rights impacts of business." The 2019 Award was specifically granted to Al-Haq for the "ground-breaking work drawing attention to how certain companies in the occupied Palestinian territory, including firms doing business with or in Israeli settlements, are involved in human rights abuses and breaches of international humanitarian law, notably the Hague Conventions and the Fourth Geneva Convention."
  • May 17, 2019: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, May 17, 2019," Jewish Voice for Peace, SumOfUS, the BDS Movement and the Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy

    "On 15 May [2019], Jewish Voice for Peace, SumOfUS, the BDS Movement and the Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy called for a 24-hour deactivation campaign of Airbnb in honour of Nakba Day. The social media campaign "#deactivateAirbnb", endorsed by an international coalition of 30-plus groups, has organized over 20,000 people to commit to deactivating their Airbnb accounts on May 15."

    Editor's note: The words "Jewish Voice for Peace" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:
    "A #deactivateAirbnb Twitterstorm is planned today from 1-3pm EST."


  • May 3, 2019: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, May 3, 2019," U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights

    ""On 1 May [2019], the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights issued a press release to welcome the introduction of legislation that would end United States funding of Israeli military detention and abuse of Palestinian children. H.R. 2407."

    Editor's note: The words "US Campaign for Palestinian Rights" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:
    "Organizations That Support Palestinian Rights Welcome Introduction of Legislation That Would End U.S. Funding for Israeli Military Detention and Abuse of Palestinian Children"

  • October 12, 2018: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, October 12, 2018," Al-Haq

    "On 8 October, 16 human rights NGOs urged the EU and its Member States to actively support the United Nations Database on businesses operating in Israeli settlements and cooperate in bringing companies under EU Member States jurisdiction. The NGOs stressed that conducting business in or with the settlements contributed to the maintenance and expansion of settlements in breach of international law. The United Nations Database was therefore a necessary and proportionate measure to promote greater transparency, accountability and respect by both States and businesses of international law."

    Editor's note: The words "16 human rights NGOs" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:
    "The undersigned human rights organisations stress the utmost importance of European Union (EU) and Member States supporting the United Nations (UN) Database on businesses operating in Israeli settlements (the Database)... While we welcome the steps taken so far by the EU and its Member States in ensuring non-recognition of the illegal situation created by the establishment of settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), we call on them to support a public and regularly updated database and to actively cooperate in bringing companies under their jurisdiction in line with international humanitarian law and their human rights responsibilities."

  • January 5 & 12, 2018: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, January 5 & 12, 2018," Badil

    "On 30 December, Badil published its third report on issues related to corporate responsibility in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, focusing on 'EU-Israel Trade: Promoting International Law Violations'."

    Editor's note: The word "Badil" on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:
    "The BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights announces the release of EU-Israel Trade: Promoting International Law Violations...[It] concludes that EU's trade with Israeli colonies is illegal... [T]he report also explores the lawfulness of EU trade with Israel proper..."

  • September 29, 2017: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, September 29, 2017," The National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine

    "Pax Christi International wrote to the Vatican, calling on the Catholic Church to discuss possible action on the basis of the Open Letter of 12 June sent by The National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine to the World Council of Churches."

    Editor's note: The words "The National Coalition of Christian Organizations in Palestine" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:
    "We ask that you speak in support of economic measures that pressure Israel to stop the occupation and go further to support sport, cultural and academic measures against Israel until it complies with international law and UN resolutions urging the ending of its occupation, Apartheid and discriminations, and accepts refugees to return to their home land and properties. This is our last peaceful resort. In response to Israel's war on BDS, we ask that you intensify that measures."

  • September 15, 2017: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, September 15, 2017," Human Rights Watch

    "On 13 September, Human Rights Watch released a report "Israeli Banks Supporting Settlements", challenging arguments by Israeli banks that domestic law obliges them to provide services that help support settlements, and calling on them to cease settlement-related activities."

    Editor's note: The words "Human Rights Watch" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:
    "[B]usinesses have a responsibility to cease doing businesses in or with Israeli settlements, including locating or carrying out activities inside settlements; financing, administering, or otherwise supporting settlements or settlement-related activities and infrastructure; and contracting to purchase settlement-manufactured goods or produce... Israeli banks should cease their settlement-related activities... These institutional investors should ensure that their business relationships are free from settlement-related products or investments."

  • September 1, 2017: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, September 1, 2017," The Association of Academics for the Respect of International Law in Palestine

    "In a letter dated 18 August, the Association of Academics for the Respect of International Law in Palestine called on colleagues to cancel their participation in the upcoming congress of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS), scheduled to take place in Jerusalem from 10 to 14 September."

    Editor's note: The words "The Association of Academics for the Respect of International Law in Palestine" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:
    "[W]e write to urge you to cancel your participation in the forthcoming congress in Jerusalem of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS), scheduled for 10-14 September... thousands of academics and many academic associations have endorsed the call by Palestinian academics and civil society at large for an institutional academic boycott of Israel..."

  • August 25, 2017: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, August 25, 2017"

    "On 19 August, World Photography Day, over 40 Portuguese photographers, teachers and students of photography reportedly pledged to refuse to collaborate with Israeli cultural institutions until the country complies with international law and respects Palestinian rights.

    Jewish Voice for Labour, a new network of Jewish members of the British Labour Party, has been established. In its Statement of Principles, the group ... upholds the right of supporters of justice for Palestinians to engage in solidarity activities, such as BDS."
  • August 18, 2017: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, August 15, 2017"

    "The US Campaign for Palestinian Rights is calling for action to oppose anti-BDS legislation in Congress...

    The Democratic Socialists of America voted to endorse BDS at its national convention on 5 August."
  • June 9, 2017: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, June 9, 2017," Al-Haq

    "On 9 June, Al-Haq and other Palestinian human rights organizations issued a joint statement calling on the international community to act to end the occupation."

    Editor's note: The words "Al-Haq" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:
    "Our organizations call upon third states to act to end the occupation and hold Israel accountable, by:... Establishing reporting mechanisms for businesses domiciled within their territory that are ... contributing to or profiting from Israel's occupation of Palestinian land or Israel's violations of the human rights of the Palestinian people;... Ending all trade in weapons with Israel through a two-way arms embargos;..."

  • February 6, 2017: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, February 6, 2017," Palestine Solidarity Campaign

    "The UK-based Palestine Solidarity Campaign has issued an urgent call to action calling on its supporters to write to their Members of Parliament ahead of the 9 February parliamentary debate regarding the expansion of Israeli settlements in Palestine. The call to action aims to ensure that 'as many MPs as possible speak out about the stark impact of settlement building on Palestinian lives and ask the government to take concrete steps to cease all trade and financial ties with settlements.'"

    Editor's note: The words "urgent call to action" on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:
    "We need to make sure as many MPs as possible ... ask the government to take concrete steps to cease all trade and financial ties with settlements."

  • January 6, 2017: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, January 6, 2017," Palestine Solidarity Campaign

    "On 24 December, the UK-based Palestine Solidarity Campaign welcomed Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016), calling for a ban on the importation of settlement products and a stronger set of guidelines to businesses and banks to ensure they have no trading, financial or investment links with Israeli settlements."

    Editor's note: The words "Palestine Solidarity Campaign" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:

    "Much of the Israeli agricultural produce sold in the UK is grown in illegal Israeli settlements and benefits from preferential trade agreements with the UK. Meanwhile, companies and charities registered in the UK do business in settlements, sending money in support of projects that expand and entrench Israeli domination...PSC's settlements campaign launched in 2016 calls for the following
    1. Commit to a thorough review of all UK financial relationships with Israeli settlements. Publish and promote a stronger set of guidelines to businesses and banks to ensure they have no trading, financial or investment links with settlements
    2. Ensure that settlements are excluded from all bilateral and multilateral arrangements between the UK and Israel.
    3. Ban the importation of settlement products to the UK."

  • December 30, 2016: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, December 30, 2016," Palestine Legal

    "Under the theme "Protect Your Right to Boycott", Palestine Legal, in cooperation with US Campaign for Palestinian Rights and Jewish Voice for Peace, will continue to provide updates on developments regarding specific anti-BDS legislation in the United States."

    Editor's note: The words "Protect Your Right to Boycott" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:

    "Protect your right to boycott: Anti-BDS Legislation by State"

  • December 16, 2016: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, December 16, 2016," Palestinian BDS National Committee

    "On 8 December, numerous European legal scholars issued a statement to defend the right to support BDS as a lawful exercise of freedom of expression, criticizing legislative measures to outlaw the movement."

    Editor's note: The words "European legal scholars" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:

    "STATEMENT BY LEGAL SCHOLARS AGAINST MEASURES ADOPTED BY CERTAIN GOVERNMENTS TO OUTLAW THE BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT AND SANCTIONS (BDS) MOVEMENT FOR PALESTINIAN HUMAN RIGHTS

    Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) is a global, peaceful movement led by Palestinian civil society that seeks to put pressure on Israel...the BDS movement has become a powerful and effective global movement in the advocacy of measures aimed at pressurizing Israel..., and at persuading other states and business enterprises to withhold all support for Israel's violations of international law."

  • December 9, 2016: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, December 9, 2016"

    "On 7 December, the Electronic Intifada reported that, citing freedom of speech, the Dutch government had rejected calls to cease funding organizations supporting BDS."

  • November 4, 2016: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, November 4, 2016," BADIL

    "On 20 October, BADIL and Al Mezan hosted a discussion at the European Parliament in Brussels on the need to ensure accountability for human rights violations, focusing on settlement businesses and policies causing the displacement of Palestinians. Al Mezan called on EU Member States to fulfil their third-party obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention."

    Editor's note: The words "BADIL and Al Mezan" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:

    "On October 20th 2016, BADIL Resource Centre for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights (BADIL) and Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights (Al Mezan) hosted the Exchange of views on ensuring accountability for violations of international law in the occupied Palestinian Territories and on the UN database of businesses operating in Israeli settlements at the European Parliament in Brussels. The discussion was led by Martina Anderson, the Chair of the Delegation for Relations with Palestine, who cited the database as a 'necessary step' for the implementation of the UN resolution on Israeli settlements."

  • November 4, 2016: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, November 4, 2016," Amnesty International USA

    "In October, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) launched a new campaign calling on President Obama to prioritize human rights during his last 100 days in office and to stop selling arms to allies in the Middle East including Israel, which had been used to commit human rights violations."

    Editor's note: The words "Amnesty International USA (AIUSA)" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:

    "The U.S. has continued to sell weapons and provide military assistance to...Israel...The president must impose stronger human rights conditionality on all U.S. arms sales, transfers, and military aid, which should be the first step towards an arms embargo..."

  • October 21, 2016: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, October 21, 2016"

    "In a letter to UN Member States of 17 October, AI [Amnesty International] stated that Israel's investigation mechanisms had long shielded Israeli security personnel responsible for unlawful killings from prosecution. The organization called for independent investigations to be initiated automatically into all killings, the application of universal jurisdiction by States to end impunity and the suspension of sales of arms and crowd control equipment to Israel until substantive steps to achieve accountability are taken."

  • September 30, 2016: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, September 30, 2016," The New York Review of Books

    "In its upcoming issue of 13 October, The New York Review of Books will feature an open letter signed by over 70 American academics and intellectuals calling for targeted boycotts, limited to settlements, to encourage all parties to negotiate a two-State solution. The letter also requests the US government to exclude settlements from trade benefits accorded to Israeli enterprises."

    Editor's note: The words "The New York Review of Books" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:

    "For an Economic Boycott and Political Nonrecognition of the Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Territories..., we call for a targeted boycott of all goods and services from all Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories, and any investments that promote the Occupation...We further call upon the US government to exclude settlements from trade benefits accorded to Israeli enterprises..."

  • June 17, 2016: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, June 17, 2016," Palestine Solidarity Campaign

    "On 8 July, Palestine Solidarity Campaign is organizing a rally in London to demand that Israel ends its siege on Gaza and that the UK ends its arms trade with Israel."

    Editor's note: The word "rally" on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:

    "We are calling for...an end to the UK's arms trade with Israel... End the arms trade with Israel."

  • April 8, 2016: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, April 8, 2016," Jews for Justice for Palestinians

    "On 9 April in the UK, Jews for Justice for Palestine are organizing an event: "Stop G4S - here and everywhere".

    Editor's note: The word "event" on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:

    "National Stop G4S Day...Everyone interested in stopping this continuing disgrace is invited to come to the National Stop G4S Event...We expect to share information between local groups campaigning to stop their local councils and health decision makers paying G4S for public services and to discuss how we can take action more widely to highlight G4S abuses... in complicity with Israeli security systems."

  • April 8, 2016: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, April 8, 2016," Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign

    "On 18 April, in Dublin, Ireland Palestinian Solidarity Campaign will present lawyer Aouda Zbidat to mark the Palestinian Prisoners Day 2016. Her talk will be a first-hand account of the key human rights violations facing Palestinian political prisoners in the OPT."

    Editor's note: The words "Palestinian Prisoners Day 2016" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:


  • March 24, 2016: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, March 24, 2016," Jerusalem Fund for Education & Community Development

    "[O]n 21 April the centre is hosting a panel on BDS with Omar Shakir from the Centre for Constitutional Rights."

    Editor's note: The word "panel" on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:

    "'BDS: Context and Challenges'. Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) is a global grassroots movement that was initiated by Palestinian civil society in 2005. It calls for the academic, consumer, and cultural boycott of Israeli institutions, companies, goods, and services...Shakir will focus on the historical, comparative, and theoretical context of BDS, addressing how and why the movement developed, how other movements have deployed it to challenge institutional discrimination, and why it is such a powerful tool."

  • March 4, 2016: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, March 4, 2016," Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs

    "On 9 March, Columbia University is hosting Sara Saadoun from Human Rights Watch who will discuss a report on why HRW is calling on businesses to pull out of the settlements."

    Editor's note: The word "HRW" on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:

    "Why Human Rights Watch Is Calling on Businesses to Pull Out of Israeli Settlements...A new Human Rights Watch report, Occupation, Inc., examines the human rights impact of these businesses and calls on them to end their settlement-related activities."

  • January 22, 2016: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, January 22, 2016," Human Rights Watch

    "Human Rights Watch on 19 January published a report: 'Occupation, Inc.: How Settlement Businesses Contribute to Israel's Violations of Palestinian Rights'."

    Editor's note: The word "report" on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:

    "In Human Rights Watch's view, ... businesses should cease carrying out activities inside or for the benefit of settlements, such as building housing units or infrastructure, or providing waste removal and landfill services. They should also stop financing, administering, trading with or otherwise supporting settlements or settlement-related activities and infrastructure."

  • January 15, 2016: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, January 16, 2016," The General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of the United Methodist Church in USA

    "The General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of the United Methodist Church in USA announced that it would divest from 5 Israeli banks as part of the implementation of their human rights guidelines."

    Editor's note: The word "announced" on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:

    "When activities in high-risk countries or areas represent a significant or integral part of a company's business, we will avoid investing until the company changes its business practices or until there is a change in its operating environment...Areas currently identified include:
    Israeli-occupied Palestinian Territories (specifically the Israeli settlements located in the West Bank east of the 'Green Line')"

  • January 13, 2016: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, January 13, 2016," European Coordination of Committees and Associations for Palestine

    "Several dozen prominent legal experts have written to the EU and its Member States urging them to comply with their fundamental legal obligations resulting from the duty of non-recognition and non-assistance to Israeli settlements and their economic activity and therefore to impose an import ban on settlement products. These legal experts warn that the policy of labelling is a wholly inadequate measure as it fails to recognise the obligations of third states under international law."

    Editor's note: The word "written" on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:

    "[W]e ask the European Union to withhold incoming as well as outgoing trade with settlements in compliance with the duty of non-­recognition. Individual EU Member states do not only have the right, but the legal obligation to respect the duty of non-­ recognition if the central authority for trade (the European Commission) does not comply. Any policy related to the labelling of products and services, however engrained in EU law, remains a wholly inadequate measure that fails to recognize the international legal obligations of third states. The only legally correct measure is to rectify the error in international trade relations by withholding from trading with settlements. Trading with settlements constitutes implicit recognition and is a violation of international law. It is also contradictory to the EU and EU Member States public policy positions on settlements, and to their domestic legal obligation to ensure consistency between such positions and government conduct."

  • July 15, 2015: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, July 15, 2015," War on Want, Campaign Against Arms Trade and Palestine Solidarity Campaign

    "On 2 July, War on Want, Campaign Against Arms Trade and Palestine Solidarity Campaign released the report entitled 'Arming Apartheid: UK complicity in Israel's crimes against the Palestinian people'.

    Editor's note: The word "report" on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:

    "Act Now to Stop Arming Israel: Join the call for an immediate two-way embargo on the arms trade with Israel...If the government's own export guidelines were properly applied, the result would be a de facto embargo on arms exports to Israel...Help us increase the pressure on the UK government to end its arms trade with Israel and its complicity in Israel's occupation and war crimes: email your MP to demand a two-way arms embargo against Israel."

  • May 15, 2015 Excerpt from "NGO Action News, May 15, 2015," Palestine Solidarity Campaign

    "The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) organized Nakba commemorations in Brighton and Bristol on 15 May and in London, Nottingham and Sheffield on 16 May... Sheffield PSC was organising the Sainsbury's boycott and Town Hall demonstration in Sheffield on 16 May."

    Editor's note: The Sainsbury Campaign states: "Brighton & Hove PSC once again tells Sainsbury's: 'Stop profiting from Israeli apartheid!'"

  • April 30, 2015: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, April 30, 2015," BDS Eearlham

    "On 22 April, the Student Senate of Earham College in Indiana, USA, passed a resolution in support of divestment from companies directly involved in the Israeli occupation of Palestine: Motorola, Hewlett-Packard, and Caterpillar."

    Editor's note: The words " resolution in support of divestment" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:

    "RESOLVED that the Earlham Student Senate endorses BDS Earlham's request of Earlham College to ensure that its assets will no longer include holdings in Caterpillar, Motorola, and Hewlett Packard; be it finally,

    RESOLVED that the Earlham Student Senate endorses BDS Earlham's request of Earlham College, specifically the Socially Responsible Investment Advisory Committee, to remain committed to ensuring that its assets will not include companies materially supporting or profiting from Israeli violations of International Law and the universal Human Rights Principles by constructing and sustaining illegal settlements, exploiting Palestinian resources, markets, and labour, and/or supplying equipment, knowhow, and services towards the repression of the occupied Palestinian population through the separation wall and checkpoints."

  • April 21, 2015 Excerpt from "NGO Action News, April 21, 2015," Adalah-NY

    "Adalah-NY organized a protest on 12 April against the Idan Raichel Project- an art project sponsored by the Israeli Government- at the Beacon Theatre in NYC."

    Editor's note: The words "Idan Raichel Project" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:

    "Tell the Beacon Theatre to stand against apartheid and oppression and cancel Idan Raichel's concert. The Beacon Theatre in New York City should not co-sign the atrocities that the Israeli government is committing by hosting Israeli musician Idan Raichel's concert on April 12... Sign the letter below calling on the Beacon Theatre to...cancel Raichel's show."

  • April 21, 2015 Excerpt from "NGO Action News, April 21, 2015"

    "US Campaign to End the Occupation and Vermonters for a Just Peace in Israel/Palestine called for their supporters to leaflet and protest outside of Ben & Jerry's ice cream shops during their annual Free Cone Day on April 14 to demand that the company stop selling ice cream in settlements."

  • April 21, 2015 Excerpt from "NGO Action News, April 21, 2015"

    "US Campaign to End the Occupation calls on its supporters to join and act to End Military Aid to Israel."

  • March 31, 2015: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, March 31, 2015," Canada Palestine Association

    "Canada Palestine Association ...also launches an online petition addressed to Air Canada CEO to put an end to the maintenance agreement signed with Israeli Aerospace Industries, a military defense company."

    Editor's note: The words "an online petition" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:

    "Stop outsourcing to Israel Aerospace Industries and end all complicity with Israeli war crimes...Air Canada has recently signed a maintenance agreement for its B787 jets with Israel Aerospace Industries IAI, a military defense company wholly owned by the government of Israel. IAI is the subject of boycotts across Europe and is well-known for its drone technology and production...Send the message that Palestinian rights and lives matter & Israeli government abuses of international law will not be rewarded with our travel dollars!"

  • March 16, 2015: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, March 16, 2015," Adalah-NY

    "Adalah is organizing on 10 March in New York a protest against the meeting of the Friends of the Israel Defence Forces (FIDF)."

    Editor's note: The words "a protest" on the UNISPAL website are a direct link to the following:

    "The Friends of the IDF is not welcome in New York City to get more money, at a minimum cost of $1,000 a seat, to perpetuate its war against the Palestinian people and the system of apartheid the army upholds. WAR CRIMES WE MUST PROTEST, BOYCOTT, SANCTION, AND DIVEST."

  • March 16, 2015: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, March 16, 2015"

    "Canada Palestine Association interviewed with Dr. Sunera Thobani, associate professor at the Centre for Women's and Gender Studies at the University of British Columbia, on International Women's Day, BDS activism and the recent BDS referendum campaign on the Berkley Campus."

  • March 16, 2015: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, March 16, 2015"

    "Chico Palestine Action Group (California) on 1 and 15 March invites its supporters to join them to promote the boycott of SodaStream and HP."

  • March 16, 2015: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, March 16, 2015"

    "End the Occupation invited its supporters to sign a the petition to let Northeastern University vote on divestment."

  • December 9, 2014: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, December 9, 2014," Omar Barghouti

    "The Israel-Palestine NGO Working Group at the UN hosted Omar Barghouti (BDS Movement) on 3 December 2014 to discuss the recent achievements of the BDS movement. The video is available here."

    Editor's note: The word "here" on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:

    [Video Description] "December 1, 2014. Omar Barghouti articulates recent achievements in the BDS movement. Presented at the Church of the United Nations in New York City. Hosted by Doug Hostetter, Director of the UN Mennonite Central Committed."

  • October 17, 2014: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, October 17, 2014," Palestinian BDS National Committee

    "The BDS Movement delivered on 9 October 2014 a petition signed by over 60,000 people, including Nobel Laureates, artists and public intellectuals, to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon calling on the UN and Governments around the world to take immediate steps to implement a comprehensive and legally binding military embargo on Israel."

    Editor's note: The words "BDS Movement" on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:

    "The broad consensus among Palestinian civil society about the need for a broad and sustained Campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) resulted in the Palestinian Call for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel that was launched in July 2005 with the initial endorsement of over 170 Palestinian organizations."

  • September 12, 2014: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, September 12, 2014"

    "The US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation is organizing its Annual National Organizers Conference in San Diego (CA) entitled The Mainstreaming of BDS and Continuing Struggle for Palestinian Rights on 19-21 September 2014."

  • August 28, 2014: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, August 28, 2014"

    "The Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) published on 21 August 2014 an audio interview with Abir Copty (Free University of Berlin, former city council member in Nazareth) on Palestine, feminism and the BDS movement."

    Editor's note: The words "audio interview" on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:

    "In the interview, Abir talks about the ongoing situation in Gaza from a feminist perspective and about the importance of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement."

  • July 30, 2014: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, July 30, 2014," Caabu

    "CAABU is inviting its supporters to write to the UK Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary as well as MPs to demand a ceasefire on Gaza, the lifting of the Gaza-blockade, an independent international investigation on the current hostilities, a ban on Israeli settlements trade and a full arms embargo on Israel.
    ...
    The Palestinian BDS Movement is calling for a military embargo on Israel and issued a petition entitled Stop Arming Israel."

    Editor's note: The word "write" on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:

    "Over the next 12 months, we will build on our existing work by expanding our campaign on banning settlement trade as part of a zero tolerance policy, forcing settlers to apply for visas to enter the UK and ending the blockade of Gaza."

  • July 3, 2014: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, July 3, 2014," The Israel/Palestine Mission Network

    "The Israel/Palestine Mission Network (IPMN) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) announced on 20 June 2014 that the plenary of the 221st General Assembly has voted 310 to 303 to divest from three US companies that profit from Israel's military occupation of Palestinian land.
    ...
    We Divest Campaign is calling for a National Week of Actions on 6-13 July 2014 to celebrate BDS victories. The campaign will also host a Summer BDS Camp 10-14 August in North Carolina. Click here for more information.

    A coalition of NGOs including Jewish Voice For Peace and Women in Black - Union Square is organizing an event on 7 July 2014 in New York to mark the 9th anniversary of the 2005 Palestinian call for BDS."

    Editor's Note: The word "divest" (first paragraph) on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:

    "The Israel/Palestine Mission Network (IPMN) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is pleased to announce that the plenary of the 221st General Assembly has voted 310 to 303 to divest from three US companies that profit from Israel's military occupation of Palestinian lands.

    "After a decade of corporate engagement with Caterpillar, Hewlett-Packard, and Motorola Solutions, these companies have failed to modify their behavior and continue to profit from Israeli human rights abuses and non-peaceful pursuits," said IPMN member Rev. Dr. Walt Davis, Professor Emeritus, San Francisco Theological Seminary."

  • June 4, 2014: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, June 4, 2014"

    "The Presbyterian Church (USA) will decide at its biennial General Assembly held in Detroit on 14-21 June 2014 whether or not to stop investing in Caterpillar, Motorola Solutions and Hewlett-Packard, 3 companies that profit from the Israeli occupation. Interfaith Partners in Action launched a petition to support divestment and the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation is mobilizing its supporters to assist its allies at the Presbyterian Church."

  • April 9, 2014: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, April 9, 2014," Voice of Palestine

    " The Voice of Palestine presented on 3 April 2014 a new interview with Tyler Levitan, Campaign Coordinator for Independent Jewish Voices - IJV Canada, who talks about about IJV's Expose the Jewish National Fund JNF campaign, their new postcard initiative, and their support for the BDS movement."

    Editor's note: The word "interview" on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:

    "This week Voice of Palestine interviews Tyler Levitan, campaign coordinator for Independent Jewish Voices, Canada. We talk with him about IJV's 'Expose the Jewish National Fund JNF' campaign, their new postcard initiative, and their support for the BDS movement."

  • March 27, 2014: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, March 27, 2014," Voice of Palestine

    "The Voice of Palestine presented on 19 March 2014 a new interview with Iymen Chehade, an instructor at Columbia College in Chicago, on the cancelation of his course on the history of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict at Columbia College and the resolution passed by the American Studies Association in support of the BDS movement."

    Editor's note: The word "interview" on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:

    "We talk with him about his course at Columbia College, why it was cancelled, and the role of the Zionist lobby in suppressing the Palestinian narrative. We also discuss the recent resolution passed by the American Studies Association supporting the call for BDS and the reaction to it."

  • March 12, 2014: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, March 12, 2014"

    "Mairead Maguire (1976 Nobel Peace Prize) said on 8 March 2014 that she would support the BDS movement until the Palestinian right to self-determination is recognized by Israel."

  • January 29, 2014: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, January 29, 2014"

    "The BDS Movement issued a statement on 21 January 2014 under the title UN Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People begins with boycott success. The coalition also updated on 10 January 2014 its round-up of 2013 BDS successes.
    ...
    Adalah-NY – The New York Campaign for the Boycott of Israel launched on 14 January 2014 a petition to show solidarity with the American Studies Association's decision to endorse academic boycott against Israeli academic institutions.
    ...
    Code Pink - Women For Peace updated the actions of its Boycott SodaStream! initiative which now features a letter campaign asking Scarlett Johansson to end her PR contract with SodaStream, a factory operating in the Israeli settlement of 'Ma'ale Adumim'."

    Editor's note: The word "statement" on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:

    "In November of last year, the UN General Assembly designated 2014 as the UN International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian people. Just three weeks into 2014, the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement has again shown that it represents an increasingly effective form of solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for freedom, justice and equality."

  • December 20 2013: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, December 20, 2013"

    "The American Studies Association's national council on 15 December 2013 voted for an academic boycott of Israeli institutions.
    ...
    The Native American and Indigenous Studies Association's council declared on 15 December 2013 its support for the boycott of Israeli academic institutions.
    ...
    The Voice of Palestine presented on 19 December 2013 a new interview with Ramah Kudaimi, Membership and Outreach Coordinator for the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, about the US Campaign's objectives, their BDS work and the Boycott SodaStream campaign."

  • December 2, 2013: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, December 2, 2013," End the Occupation Blog

    "Adalah-NY, Jewish Voice for Peace – NY, and Park Slope Food Coop Members for BDS are organizing a musical protest against SodaStream on 7 December 2013."
    ...
    The US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation is calling on supporters to help in their 2013 Boycott SodaStream Days of Action. Demonstrations against SodaStream (see list of activities here) are being planned to focus on Target retail stores and will be held from 2 December to 10 December 2013. As well, the Campaign launched a petition on 26 November 2013 to ask Bartell Drugs in Seattle to stop selling SodaStream products."

    Editor's note: The word "petition" on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:

    "We would like to take the international campaign to a local Seattle target. Bartell Drugs still sells SodaStream... With enough local pressure, Bartell would be able to decide at the local level to stop selling SodaStream."

  • November 18, 2013: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, November 18, 2013," Sacramento BDS Petition

    "Le Comité pour une Paix Juste au Proche-Orient is organizing several different artistic events and conferences throughout the month of November 2013, and held a special conference-debate Should we Boycott Israel? with Michael Deas (European Coordinator for the National Committee for the Palestinian BDS Campaign against Israeli Policies) on 8 November 2013 in Luxembourg.
    ...
    Sacramento BDS is calling on its supporters to sign a petition asking stores in the US not to buy or sell SodaStream products, which are made in an Israeli settlement."

    Editor's note: The word "petition" on the UNISPAL website is a direct link to the following:

    "Please support international law and human rights, don't buy and don't sell SodaStream or any other products made in illegal Israeli settlements."

  • November 4, 2013: Excerpt from "NGO Action News, November 4, 2013"

    "The American Friends Service Committee released on 28 October 2013 a Monster Mash Remix - Boycott SodaStream song. You can listen to the performance here.

    Boycott Israeli Apartheid Campaign is organizing a protest in front of London Drugs in Vancouver on 3 November 2013 to ask the store to stop selling SodaStream products. This demonstration is part of the Canada-wide SodaStream boycott campaign of the Canadian Boycott Coalition."