RAMALLAH – The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement called yesterday to intensify its campaign against Israel this year and the imposition of international sanctions over its occupation and persecution of the Palestinian people.
According to Anadolu Agency, BDS in its annual report, which reviewed its achievements last year, said the wave of normalisation with Israel requires joining efforts to preserve the Palestinian cause.
In 2020, four Arab countries announced normalisation deals with Israel, starting with the United Arab Emirates and followed by Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco. This came in the wake of similar moves by Egypt and Jordan, which signed deals with Israel in 1979 and 1994 respectively.
BDS called for making the price of normalisation high this year and to force Israel to pay the price for its crimes against the Palestinians.
It said its theme for this year is to end the Israeli occupation and colonial regime.
Anadolu Agency also reported the movement added that around 100 Arab artists, including Palestinians, have pledged to boycott all cultural activities sponsored by the UAE over its normalisation with Israel.
Formed in 2005, BDS is a Palestinian-led movement that works to end international support for Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and pressure Israel to comply with international law, according to its website. – Bernama, January 11, 2021