The BDS movement strategically targets companies, institutions, and governments that it views as complicit in Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories. Below is an analysis of its key targets, the campaigns against them, and their effectiveness in achieving BDS goals.
1. Economic & Corporate Targets
A. Companies Directly Involved in Occupation
These are firms that provide military technology, infrastructure, or services supporting Israel’s occupation.
🔹 Caterpillar
- Why Targeted? Supplies bulldozers used in home demolitions and settlement construction.
- Effectiveness:
- Limited impact (still does business in Israel).
- But reputational damage (protests at shareholder meetings, church divestments).
🔹 HP (Hewlett-Packard)
- Why Targeted? Provides tech for Israeli military checkpoints, biometric IDs in West Bank.
- Effectiveness:
- Lost some university contracts (e.g., University of California).
- Still operates in Israel, but BDS keeps pressure on.
🔹 Elbit Systems (Israeli arms manufacturer)
- Why Targeted? Makes drones, surveillance tech used in Gaza & West Bank.
- Effectiveness:
- UK protests shut down a factory in 2021.
- HSBC divested from Elbit in 2019.
- Still a major supplier to Israel.
🔹 Puma
- Why Targeted? Sponsors the Israel Football Association (includes teams in settlements).
- Effectiveness:
- Lost some sponsorships (e.g., South African clubs).
- Still sponsors major teams, but ongoing pressure.
B. Consumer Goods & Settlement Products
🔹 SodaStream
- Why Targeted? Operated a factory in an illegal West Bank settlement.
- Effectiveness:
- Closed settlement factory (2015) after global boycott.
- Moved to Israel proper—partial BDS victory.
🔹 Ahava (Dead Sea Cosmetics)
- Why Targeted? Made in illegal West Bank settlements.
- Effectiveness:
- Pulled out of major stores (UK’s John Lewis, US retailers).
- Still sold but brand reputation damaged.
🔹 Sabra Hummus
- Why Targeted? Co-owned by an Israeli company supporting the IDF.
- Effectiveness:
- Some US supermarkets dropped it (e.g., Park Slope Co-op).
- Still widely available but symbolic impact.
2. Cultural & Academic Boycotts
🔹 Eurovision & Cultural Events
- Why Targeted? Israel uses “art-washing” to improve its image.
- Effectiveness:
- Protests at Eurovision 2019 (Iceland’s performers waved Palestinian flags).
- Some artists (e.g., Lorde) canceled Israel concerts.
🔹 Israeli Universities
- Why Targeted? Accused of military research collaborations.
- Effectiveness:
- Some academic boycotts (e.g., British academic unions).
- But most universities still partner with Israeli institutions.
3. Institutional Divestment
🔹 Universities & Pension Funds
- Why Targeted? Many invest in Caterpillar, Boeing, Lockheed Martin.
- Effectiveness:
- Columbia, UC Berkeley, SOAS (UK) passed divestment votes.
- But Harvard, Yale, etc. resist due to donor pressure.
🔹 Churches & Religious Groups
- Why Targeted? Moral pressure on Israel.
- Effectiveness:
- Presbyterian Church (USA), Quakers divested.
- United Methodist Church divested from Israeli banks.
🔹 Banks & Financial Institutions
- Why Targeted? Fund illegal settlements.
- Effectiveness:
- HSBC, Deutsche Bank, Nordea dropped some Israeli arms stocks.
- But most major banks still invest.
4. Government & Legal Pressure
🔹 Arms Embargo Campaigns
- Why Targeted? Stop weapons sales to Israel.
- Effectiveness:
- UK arms sales face legal challenges.
- Spain, Belgium suspended arms sales during Gaza wars.
🔹 Banning Settlement Goods
- Why Targeted? Illegal under international law.
- Effectiveness:
- EU requires labeling of settlement products.
- Ireland passed a law banning settlement goods (2024).
5. Sports & FIFA Boycotts
🔹 Campaign to Ban Israel from FIFA
- Why Targeted? Israeli teams include settlements.
- Effectiveness:
- Failed in 2017, but keeps pressure on.
Overall Effectiveness of BDS
| Metric | Impact |
|---|---|
| Economic Damage | Moderate (some companies moved, lost contracts) |
| Reputation Damage | High (Israel seen as apartheid-like by growing global movement) |
| Political Influence | Growing (EU labeling laws, Ireland’s ban, South Africa’s stance) |
| Cultural Isolation | Partial (some artists boycott, but Israel still hosts major events) |
| Military/Arms Trade | Limited (most Western govts still sell weapons) |
Biggest BDS Successes:
✅ SodaStream moved out of settlements (economic impact).
✅ Major churches & universities divested (moral legitimacy).
✅ EU settlement labeling & Ireland’s ban (political shift).
✅ Growing global awareness of Palestinian rights.
Biggest Challenges:
❌ Strong pro-Israel lobbying (anti-BDS laws in US/EU).
❌ Limited direct economic harm to Israel’s GDP.
❌ Corporate resistance (most firms still operate in Israel).
Conclusion:
BDS has not yet forced Israel to end occupation, but it has:
✔ Isolated Israel culturally & academically in some spaces.
✔ Convinced major institutions to divest.
✔ Shifted global discourse toward Palestinian rights.
