#1249 Understanding Boycott, Divest, Sanctions (BDS)

Air Date: 2–12-2019

Today we take a look at both the BDS movement and the backlash response to it resulting in firings and legislation in many states (and pending federally) to restrict employment and business opportunities from those who fail to pledge in writing to not support of the boycott of Israel

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SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Explaining BDS - The Katie Halper Show - Air Date 10-11-17

We speak to art critic and writer Kareem Estefan, co-editor of “Assuming Boycott: Resistance, Agency, and Cultural Production,” about Boycott, Divest, Sanction (BDS)

Ch. 2: Exclusive: Angela Davis Speaks Out on Palestine, BDS & More After Civil Rights Award Is Revoked - Democracy Now! - Air Date 1-11-19

Legendary activist and scholar Angela Davis speaks out after the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute rescinded a human rights award for her, reportedly due to her activism for Palestinian rights.

Ch. 3: Pro-Israel Lobby Groups Secretly Admits Cultural Boycott Is Effective, Leaked Report Shows - @TheRealNews - Air Date 12-10-18

Ali Abunimah discusses a leaked report from Creative Community for Peace (CCFP), a front for Israel government-backed lobby group StandWithUs, which admits the cultural boycott is "constantly growing" and "innovative."

Ch. 4: Josh Ruebner on BDS Bans - CounterSpin (@FAIRmediawatch) - Air Date 1-31-19

We’ll hear about so-called “anti-BDS” laws, and their context, from Josh Ruebner, policy director at the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights.

Ch. 5: Glenn Greenwald: Congress Is Trying to Make It a Federal Crime to Participate in Boycott of Israel - Democracy Now! - Air Date 12-18-18

Twenty-six states have laws preventing state agencies from contracting with companies or individuals aligned with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. We speak with Glenn Greenwald, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.

Ch. 6: Senators Sneak Amendment to Make Israel Boycott Illegal - @TheRealNews - Air Date 12-19-18

While Senators Cardin and Portman are trying to sneak a last-minute amendment into the budget bill to make BDS illegal - violating free speech - 26 states are also moving to make boycotts of Israel illegal. We speak to IPS’s Phyllis Bennis.

Ch. 7: Palestine/Israel, the Firing of Marc Lamont Hill & the Limits of Open Inquiry Part 1 - Speak out with Tim Wise - Air Date 12-3-18

Tim discusses CNN’s firing of contributor Marc Lamont Hill (a former guest on the show), for comments he made in favor of full equality and justice for the Palestinian people.

Ch. 8: What You Can’t Say About Israel (with Marc Lamont Hill) - Deconstructed from The Intercept - Air Date 1-23-19

Dr. Marc Lamont Hill joins Mehdi Hasan along with Lara Friedman, president of the Foundation for Middle East Peace who is a liberal supporter of Israel but also opposed to the criminalization of BDS.

Ch. 9: Does Israel Have A Right To Exist? - Majority Report (@MajorityFM) - Air Date 05-18-18

In this Majority Report clip, we discuss the current state of Israel.

Ch. 10: Palestine/Israel, the Firing of Marc Lamont Hill & the Limits of Open Inquiry Part 2 - Speak out with Tim Wise - Air Date 12-3-18

Tim discusses CNN’s firing of contributor Marc Lamont Hill (a former guest on the show), for comments he made in favor of full equality and justice for the Palestinian people.

FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments introducing two bonus clips with critiques of the BDS movement

Bonus Clips:

1: Norman Finkelstein on Why Obama Doesn't Believe His Own Words on Israel-Palestine. Part 2 - Democracy Now - Air Date 6-4-2012

Finkelstein says the goal of the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions campaign and the broader movement for Middle East peace should be to mobilize public opinion on what most already support: a two-state solution rooted in international law.

2: Noam Chomsky on BDS and How the Israeli Occupation is "Much Worse Than Apartheid" - Democracy Now - Air Date 8-11-14

MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):