| Target Sector | Objective | Primary Tactics | Notable Campaigns/Impacts | Challenges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Israeli Government & Diplomatic Ties | End SA-Israel relations | – Lobby for embassy closures – Protest official visits |
2019: SA downgrades embassy to “liaison office” 2024: ICJ case against Israel |
Government hesitancy on full severance |
| 2. Israeli Companies Operating in SA | Disrupt economic ties | – Consumer boycotts – Legal challenges to contracts |
Targeted: HP, Puma, Sabra Hummus 2021: Cape Town cancels Veolia water contract |
Limited local Israeli business presence |
| 3. International Corporations | Pressure global firms tied to Israel | – Campus protests – Shareholder activism |
2023: UCT divests from Caterpillar Sasol targeted over gas deals |
Corporate pushback/lobbying |
| 4. Cultural & Academic Collaboration | Isolate Israel culturally | – Cancel artist/sports exchanges – Exclude Israeli academia |
2018: Elvis Blue concert cancelled Wits University cuts ties with Tel Aviv University |
Accusations of “censorship” |
| 5. Banks & Financial Institutions | Block Israeli investments | – Close accounts funding settlements – Protest bank financing |
2022: Nedbank faces protests over Israel bonds | Banks cite “neutrality” policies |
| 6. Tourism & Airlines | Reduce Israeli travel to SA | – Boycott El Al – Protest tour operators |
2019: FlySafair drops Israel code-share | Tourism lobby resistance |
| 7. Arms Trade & Military Links | End defense cooperation | – Expose arms deals – Block ports for Israeli ships |
2015: Armscor caught supplying Israel 2024: Dockworkers refuse Israeli cargo |
Secretive nature of arms trade |
Strategic Successes
✅ Diplomatic Isolation: SA leads global legal cases (ICJ) and recalls diplomats.
✅ Corporate Withdrawals: Puma ended Israel Football Association sponsorship (2022).
✅ Public Awareness: BDS frames Palestine as an anti-apartheid struggle, resonating with SA history.
Key Challenges
⚠ Economic Retaliation: Pro-Israel groups threaten trade repercussions (e.g., citrus exports).
⚠ Legal Threats: BDS faces “antisemitism” smears and lawsuits.
⚠ Limited Leverage: Few direct Israel-SA economic links to pressure.
Future Focus
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Expand to African Union: Push continental solidarity (e.g., AU observer status for Palestine).
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Disrupt Tech Sector: Target cybersecurity firms like NSO Group.
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Labor Strikes: Mobilize unions (e.g., COSATU) for cargo boycotts.
