Category Archives: Take Action

Israeli Law passed which effectively declares itself an apartheid colonial-settler state

The Canadian government is called to condemn this law and uphold its own Special Economic Sanctions Act.

“The Canadian government is called upon to immediately condemn Israel’s apartheid law by putting sanctions in place as is required under Canada’s own domestic law.  The Canadian BDS Coalition joins with the Palestinian people and the Palestinian BDS National Committee in calling for the UN to activate its anti-apartheid laws and impose serious sanctions, on Israel such as those which were imposed on South Africa.”

On July 19, 2018, Israeli legislators approved the “Basic Law: Israel as the Nation State of the Jewish People” bill that unambiguously defines Israel as a state that belongs exclusively to the “Jewish people.”  This law was approved even though one in five Israeli citizens is an indigenous, non-Jewish Palestinian.  This law makes discrimination constitutional and enshrines apartheid into Law

The Jewish Nation-State legislation was approved by 62 to 55 votes. Palestinian members of the Israeli Knesset condemned the law that stipulates that  “Israel is the historic homeland of the Jewish people and they have an exclusive right to national self-determination in it.”

“It has passed a law of Jewish supremacy and told us that we will always be second-class citizens,” Ayman Odeh, the head of the Arab Joint List – an alliance of four predominantly Arab parties – said in a statement following the law’s passage.

The newly passed law also states that an undivided Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, and names illegal settlements as a “national value.”  This blatant disregard of United Nations resolutions is also contrary to Canadian foreign policy.  The legislation is a blatant disregard for the Fourth Geneva Convention which does not allow for populations of the occupier to be moved into occupied areas.  Under Article 1 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, Canada as a signatory of the Convention is responsible for ensuring that the Convention is upheld in all circumstances.

Adalah, a leading Palestinian human rights organization in Israel,said that the law  “affirms the principle of apartheid in housing, land and citizenship.” Adalah indicates “this law constitutionally sanctions institutionalized discrimination.”

The Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC)  shared Najwan Berekdar, a Palestinian citizen of Israel, reaction:

As a Palestinian citizen of this state, this bill entrenches my third-class citizenship on the land where generations of my family have lived since long before the state of Israel even existed.

The Jewish-Israeli majority is loudly reminding us indigenous Palestinian citizens of Israel that we are not welcome in our own ancestral homeland. My people have always suffered from legalized racism by the state of Israel and its institutions, but this law makes our apartheid reality the law of the land like never before.

As “non-Jews” we are already not allowed to buy or rent land on 93% of the area controlled by the Israeli state, and many of our communities are declared to be “unrecognized” and bulldozed out of existence by Israeli forces. I received a racially segregated and inferior education in a school system that conspicuously privileges Jewish-Israelis.

Israel is now stripping us of any semblance of equal rights based solely on our ethno-religious identity. It’s even demoting our language from one of the state’s two official languages.

Omar Barghouti from the Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC) commented:

Israel has dozens of racist laws, including some which strikingly fit the UN definition of apartheid. But with the constitutional power of this Basic Law, Israel is effectively declaring itself an apartheid state and dropping its worn-out mask of democracy.

From now on, it will not just be legal to racially discriminate against the indigenous Palestinian citizens of the state. It will be constitutionally mandated and required. This should stir people, institutions and governments to take effective action to hold Israel accountable.

The Canadian BDS Coalition which includes over 25 groups from coast to coast, including national, regional and local groups, reminds the Canadian government that its own domestic legislation, the Special Economic Measures Act requires that sanctions are applied where gross and systemic human rights violations have been committed by a foreign state.

“The Canadian government is called upon to immediately condemn Israel’s apartheid law by putting sanctions in place as is required under Canada’s own domestic law.  The Canadian BDS Coalition joins with the Palestinian people and the Palestinian BDS National Committee in calling for the UN to activate its anti-apartheid laws and impose serious sanctions, on Israel such as those which were imposed on South Africa.”

contact: bdscoalition@gmail.com

Release from Palestinian BNC here.

Press release on wire service here.

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Let’s cut the current between

Hydro-Québec and Israel Electric

Sign petition at:

The partnership between Hydro-Québec and Israel Electric is revealed by BDS-Québec

 

Let’s cut the current between Hydro-Québec and Israel Electric!

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/HQ_IEC_partnership_agreement_en/

Sign the petition to demand that Hydro-Québec terminate its agreement to cooperate on cyber security with Israel Electric Corporation concluded on May 22, 2017.

This memorandum of understanding is in fact a contract between two states: Quebec and Israel. 

The cooperation agreement was signed as part of the May 2017 economic mission to Israel and the West Bank by Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, in his presence. Hydro-Québec refuses to disclose the content of its partnership agreement with IEC in contravention of the Act respecting access to documents held by public bodies and the protection of personal information to which it is subject.

Why this is important

  • IEC is working closely with the National Cyber Security Authority on military cyber defenses (IDF), intelligence services (Mossad) and the Water Authority. IEC’s security IS Mossad.
  • A “partnership” in cyber security with Israel means “a pact with the Mossad and a pact with Israel’s apartheid regime”.
  • Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) – a state-owned corporation – shares responsibility for the State of Israel’s abuses towards the Palestinian population:
  • IEC regularly cuts electricity in Gaza.
  • IEC frequently cuts electricity in the West Bank.
  • IEC electrifies the separation wall between Israel and Palestine.
  • IEC has supplied electricity to illegal settlements in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967.
  • IEC supplies the Israeli army with electricity.
  • Since 1948, Israel has repeatedly violated with impunity resolutions adopted by the United Nations and the United Nations Security Council and continues to ignore the International Court of Justice’s condemnation of its policies.

Gaza has been under an illegal blockade for 10 years. In recent weeks Israel has adopted the official policy of ‘shoot-to-kill’ in Gaza, targeting and shooting Palestinian demonstrators seeking to improve their living conditions and to end the blockade:

  • Bullets and targeting were aimed to kill and maim as hollow bullets exploded on penetrating bodies: 112 killed, 13, 500 wounded (1029 women), 7,618 by gunshots, with 32 amputations and more coming.
  • Israeli snipers have targeted and killed journalists wearing identifiable press jackets
  • Israeli snipers have targeted and killed medical personnel, both doctors and paramedics
  • No Israeli was killed

In signing its memorandum of understanding with Israel Electric Corporation, Hydro-Quebec – and the Quebec state – makes themselves complicit in these crimes. Please sign the petition demanding that Hydro-Quebec cancel its partnership with Israel Electric Corporation!

 

Sign:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/HQ_IEC_partnership_agreement_en/

 

To learn more about the cooperation of Canada’s energy industry read this IT World Canada article that provides details about Toronto Hydro, IESO (Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator), and the Canadian Electric Association, as well as Canadian energy sector.

 

from Israel in Toronto Facebook page

Israel enjoys a close relationship with Canada’s electricity sector. Last year, a delegation of Canadian electricity companies, government officials, and regulators visited Israel.

Yesterday, Israel in Canada‘s Ambassador Rafael Barak, Nissan Amdur (Israel’s Economic Attache to Canada), and Yosi Shneck (Senior Vice President and CIO of the חברת החשמל לישראל Israel Electric Corporation), participated in IESO – The Electricity Outlet‘s Executive Briefing on Cybersecurity in Toronto.

Image may contain: 1 person, standing, suit and indoor
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What can I do? Economic Boycott.

BDS  Economic Boycott

Speaking with your economic buying power–an age old tactic

o-BOYCOTT-facebook

The BDS movement is building an economic boycott of Israel and developing effective campaigns against companies that participate in Israel’s oppression of Palestinians.

International companies aid and abet Israel’s violations of international law, including by operating in illegal Israeli settlements and acting as contractors for the Israeli military and government.

The economic boycott of Israel aims to put pressure on Israel to comply with international law and to persuade private companies to end their participation in Israel’s crimes.

 Grassroots BDS campaigning is leading to major companies and investors changing their attitudes towards Israel and its oppression of Palestinians.

The Israeli economy is especially dependent on international trade and investment, making it especially susceptible to international economic boycotts.

 Campaigning has led to major companies selling up and leaving Israel altogether and a range of investors divesting from Israeli and international companies.

The UN, the World Bank and other experts say that BDS is having an important economic impact on Israel.

Impact on Israeli companies of Consumer Boycott:

BDS campaigning has had a serious impact on Israeli companies. Carmel Agrexco, Israel’s largest agricultural export company, entered liquidation after a huge boycott campaign against the company pushed Israeli farmers to export their products through other companies. SodaStream was forced to close its operations in an illegal Israeli settlement after BDS campaigning led to retailers taking its products off its shelves. SodaStream is still a boycott target over its role in ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in the Naqab (Negev)

 Experts report growing economic impact of BDS:  According to the authors of a UN report, BDS was a key factor behind at 46% drop in foreign direct investment into Israel in 2014 compared to 2013.   The World Bank partially attributed a 24% drop in Palestinian imports from Israel to boycott. Reports by the Israeli government and the Rand Corporation have predicted that BDS could cost the Israeli economy billions of dollars.

Does the BDS movement call for a boycott of all Israeli products or just products and companies from illegal Israeli settlements?

The BDS movement calls for a boycott of all Israeli products. However, some of our biggest campaigns are against companies that operate in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied West Bank. This is simply because targeting these companies are, at this stage, more capable of winning widespread support and succeeding. As our movement grows, so do our ambitions and the BDS movement is currently in the process of moving away from campaigns focused mainly on illegal Israeli settlements.

 Identifying Israeli Products

 A barcode starting with 729 usually indicates a product of Israel. But this is not always reliable. The best way to tell if a product is made in Israel is to look for a “Product of Israel” label or to ask the retailer if they can guarantee a product isn’t from Israel.

Consumer Boycott Action List

BNC Campaign: Priority Boycott & Related Actions

HP

HP plays a key role in Israel’s oppression of Palestinians. It provides technology, equipment and services to the Israeli military, including for the checkpoints and ID card system that underpin Israel’s apartheid policies and its movement restrictions for Palestinians.HP relies on its good image and its contracts with public organisations, civil society bodies and private businesses. Effective grassroots campaigning can push HP to end its role in Israeli apartheid and settler colonialism.

ACTIONS:

  1. Sign the international pledge to boycott HP.
  2. Join the more than 1.8 million people have signed a petition calling on HP to end its role in Israeli apartheid and settler colonialism.
  3. Retailers selling HP Products: In Canada consumer boycott focused on Best Buy and Staples, but not limited to these retailers. (see links)
  4. HP Free Zones: Call on student groups,  faith communities, not-for-profits, institutions, other organizations,  businesses, along with governments declare that they are HP Free.  This could include owning no HP products, publically getting rid of HP products, or declaring will not buy any further HP products and placing “This is my last HP” sticker on all current HP products.

 

Farming Injustice

For Palestinians, agriculture is much more than the production of olives, citrus fruit and other fresh produce, or keeping livestock. Farming is tied to the Palestinian people’s identity, history and resistance to Israel’s colonial occupation.

ACTIONS:

  1. Boycott based on information provided, and by looking for Country Code 729, Made in Israel and talking with the store manager/retailer.
  2. Individual actions
  3. Support Amnesty International campaign calling Canadian government to comply with UNSC resolution 2334 through Occupation@50
  4. Promote alternate Palestinian products (if source).

Israeli Fruit and Vegetables, including Dates
Fruit and vegetables are one of Israel’s biggest exports and all Israeli agricultural exporters are complicit in Israel’s violations of international law as they operate on stolen Palestinian land.

Wineries

As an example, approximately 60-70 products labelled “made in Israel” are  available through the LCBO in Ontario.  Many of  these  have connection with illegal occupation of Syrian Golan or Palestinian territory.

Include the word “Israel” in the LCBO search to find stores and products to take action

See Canada Palestine Association re wine boycotts here.

Sabra
Sabra hummus is a joint venture between PepsiCo and the Strauss Group, an Israeli food company that provides financial support to the Israel Defense Forces.

Determine where it is sold in Canada HERE

Plan actions at Consumer Shows across Canada.  Check HERE.

Air Canada sells Sabra on board its planes.

Dead Sea Salt

Check out CJPME resources here.

Ahava
Ahava cosmetics is one of  Israel’s best known export companies.

Find locations selling this project HERE.

Action: contact Ahava stores and head office, and the Bay.

See resources from the United Church of Canada and CJPME

SodaStream
SodaStream home drinks machines are one of Israel’s best known exports.

For stores see here.

Major retailers include Hudson Bay, Canadian Tire, Home Outfitters, Walmart, London Drugs and Bed, Bath and Beyond.

See resources from the United Church of Canada and CJPME.

HSBC: end complicity in Israel’s militarised repression of Palestinians

The international HSBC bank is a major shareholder in companies selling weapons and military technology to Israel and also provides those companies with the loans they need to operate.

ACTIONS:

  1. HSBC Customers: Boycott HSBC, let HSBC know if you are withdrawing your services.
  2. Everyone: Head over to the War on Want website to email the head of HSBC, and tell him to end HSBC complicity in Israel’s crimes against the Palestinian people.
  3. Everyone: learn about HSBC in Canada and find locations near you.  Use your own voice and creativity, along with tools to let  HSBC , their customers and other  know HSBC’s complicity.

Hyundai

Boycott Hyundai to end its complicity in Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Palestinian communities in Jerusalem and the Naqab

#BoycottHyundai

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Committee of Palestinian Citizens of Israel (BDS48) call upon our Palestinian people in the homeland and the Diaspora, the peoples of the Arab world, and people of conscience worldwide to boycott and divest from Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), until it ends its involvement in Israel’s violations of our human rights, particularly in Jerusalem and the Naqab (Negev).

Inform yourself HERE.

  1. Future purchasers: Don’t buy Hyundai products, and let Hyundai know locally along with their Canadian head office know you will not be buying Hyundai.
  2. Current Owners: Let local Hyundai know that this is your last Hyundai product if you own Hyundai.
  3. Everyone: check out Hyundai Canada  Use your own voice and creativity, along with tools to let  HSBC , their customers and other  know Hyundai complicity. 

Boycott the Following (research by Who Profits)

Coca Cola

Africa Israel: clothing line

Motorola

Naot

Pay Pal (see UCC)

Trip Advisor

Airbnb

Remax (see CJPME)

Ketter  (see UCC)

Aroma Espresso Cafes

Toyota

Land Rover

General Motors

Mitsubishi

Note: several of these organizations have been on leaked UN Blacklists as well.  Canada has two companies expected to be on the UN list when it is available but the names have not yet been released.  We expect to provide more information on Canadian companies doing business in settlements and in support of the occupation, as well as further information on other products that have been verified by Who Profits and other groups.

Retailers

The following have had verification work done previously:

Mountain Equipment Company  by CJPME

Canadian Tire by CJPME ,  Canada  Palestine Association,  UCC

COSTCO by CJPME

H&M  by CJPME

Home Depot by CJPME. Also UCC

IBM by CJPME

IKEA by CJPME

Indigo by CJPME

Pizza Hut by CJPME

Toys’r’us see CJPME

Western Union see CJPME

The Bay see UCC

Walmart see UCC

 IMPORTANT NOTE

The global nature of today’s economy means that there are thousands of companies that have links to Israel and are complicit to various degrees in Israel’s violations of international law. However, for our movement to have real impact we need our consumer boycotts to be easy to explain, have wide appeal and the potential for success. That’s why we particularly focus globally on a select few strategic campaigns. We also encourage the principle of context sensitivity, whereby activists in any given context decide what best to target and how, in line with BDS guidelines. There is a lot of information online claiming that some large companies give money to Israel, some of which turns out to be false. BDS has built a reputation for strictly adhering to established facts and producing the most accurate information.

Besides boycotting Israeli goods, what else can I do?

The BDS movement is about much more than consumer boycotts: it is also about campaigning alongside others to pressure institutions, unions, and companies to boycott or divest and to isolate Israel academically, culturally, economically and militarily. Check out the other areas of this Get Involved page for more information and ideas.

Frequent Questions and Answers

Will more items be added?

Yes.  More products and organizations will be added as research is completed, and new campaigns added through the BNC, the Canadian BDS Coalition or local organizations.

What if I find a product, company or retailer that might be added to the list?

Provide details to bdscoalition@gmail.com

Should i make direct contact with companies and/or retailers before taking an action?

It is always advisable to make contact with the companies and retailers.  For BNC campaigns this contact has been made at global level.  For those organizations listed by Who Profits, they have been directly contacted by Who Profits.  Similarly organizations like CJPME and UCC have made this contact before moving forward with campaigns.  As part of publishing this list the Canadian BDS Coalition has made contact with organizations at a national level (still to be done).  Best practices would be for local organizations and also individuals to also make such contact related to any boycott action or locally developed campaign.

CJPME: Canadian for Justice and Peace in the Middle East

UCC: United Church of Canada

Interested in being involved locally contact bdscoalition@gmail.com

 

 

 

Canada Supports the Global HP Campaign

HP

HP plays a key role in Israel’s oppression of Palestinians. It provides technology, equipment and services to the Israeli military, including for the checkpoints and ID card system that underpin Israel’s apartheid policies and its movement restrictions for Palestinians.HP relies on its good image and its contracts with public organisations, civil society bodies and private businesses. Effective grassroots campaigning can push HP to end its role in Israeli apartheid and settler colonialism.

HP-postcard-new

ACTIONS:

  1. Sign the international pledge to boycott HP.
  2. Join the more than 1.8 million people have signed a petition calling on HP to end its role in Israeli apartheid and settler colonialism.
  3. Retailers selling HP Products: In Canada consumer boycott focused on Best Buy and Staples, but not limited to these retailers. 
  4. HP Free Zones: Call on student groups,  faith communities, not-for-profits, institutions, other organizations,  businesses, along with governments declare that they are HP Free.  This could include owning no HP products, publically getting rid of HP products, or declaring will not buy any further HP products and placing “This is my last HP” sticker on all current HP products.

 

Technology of Israel Aerospace Industries: Tested on Palestinians, Exported to the World

Air Canada’s complicity with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has been matched by its silence. 

http://www.palestinechronicle.com/technology-of-israel-aerospace-industries-tested-on-palestinians-exported-to-the-world/

 

By Marion Kawas

Friday, October 06, 2017

Two weeks ago, it was revealed that a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Elta North America, would be involved in building the U.S.-Mexico border wall. The immediate connection between the “builders” of oppressive and apartheid walls was not lost on those concerned about social justice, but a look at the history of IAI is even more enlightening. It is just one of many Israeli military defense companies that have intensified their global marketing in the last two decades, but it is also wholly owned by the Israeli government and is part of the historical foundation and fabric of the whole Zionist enterprise.

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100 Years of Balfour Declaration is Not Something to Celebrate

balfour agreement

On November 2, 2017, it will be a century since the road for colonization of Palestine was set.

Recognizing a century since the Balfour Declaration, 70 years since the Partition Plan and approaching 70 years since the Nakba, 50 years of occupation of the territory taken in the 1967 set-back, and 10 years seize on Gaza, we are pleased that Alexandre Boulerice, MP to Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, NDP, Quebec has sponsored the following petition to the government of Canada.

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Air Canada CEO Rovinescu, Your Silence Suggests Support of Complicity with Israeli War Crime

air canadaApproaching 90 days and there has been no response to the following letter send to Air Canada CEO, Calin Rovinescu.  Seems the silence of Rovinescu and his senior team support are not prepared to talk about the export of Canadian jobs to the Israeli government owned military company Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI).

The BNC (BDS National Committee) is putting more focus on Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI )with their statement on IAI’s involvement in militarizing the US-Mexico border.

We are still waiting Mr. Rovinescu to hear from you, and you can expect you will be hearing more the majority of Canadians who support sanctions against Israel war crimes (EKOS 2017).\

Continue reading →

Bryan unplug from Apartheid Israel

Sign and share the Canadian BDS Coalition petition to tell Bryan Adams to Unplug from Israeli Apartheid!

 

Bryan remember your words. CANCEL your performances in Tel Aviv December 4 and Jerusalem December 6.  

Canada heard you in 2014.  Palestine heard you in 2014. The world heard you in 2014, as you gave hope to the people of Gaza and all people who stand against war crimes and mass genocide.

You stood against the Israeli military bombardment on Gaza saying: “the Israeli blockade of #Gaza just entered its 8th year, leaving its 1.7 million inhabitants destitute” and  “I say the war against Gaza was a crime against humanity.”  

Lest you think things in Gaza no longer a concern, Amnesty International and the United Nations independent human rights experts remind you  this is not the case.  Over two million people are in their eleventh year in an outdoor prison, that has experienced three horrendous military attacks.  Electricity is only available a few hours a day, water is scarce and sewage is polluting the Mediterranean.   This is a completely human-made humanitarian crisis.

Bryan, we remind you that “Most Canadians Say Sanctions and Boycott are Reasonable Measures to Defend Palestinian Rights”   (the 2017 EKOS poll )

In 2016 the world cheered when you cancelled your Mississippi tour date in protest over the state’s anti-LGBT law.

Let the world cheer again, when you CANCEL your Tel Aviv and Jerusalem performances Bryan.

 

Letter Sent to Bryan Adams from the Canadian BDS Coalition.  Bryan you only have one Canadian concert before you play Apartheid Israel.  We are looking for you to show your leadership on human rights by announcing you are cancelling your shows in Israel.

Tweet @bryadams to say #UnplugFromIsraeliApartheidBryan

May 25: Join the global one-day hunger strike for Palestinian prisoners

International solidarity activists have issued a call for a global one-day hunger strike on Thursday, May 25 in support of more than 1,500 hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners who have been participating in the Strike for Dignity and Freedom for more than month.

The strikers’ demands are for basic human rights: an end to the denial of family visits, proper health care and medical treatment, the right to access distance higher education, and an end to solitary confinement and administrative detention, imprisonment without charge or trial.

Pledge to take part on May 25

If you are in Canada, please make a pledge to join the Palestinian prisoners in a one-day solidarity hunger strike on May 25. 

You can connect with other Canadian participating in the day of solidarity and share your story on the Canadians in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners Facebook page.

Other actions you can take

Stay up to date and share widely on social media the daily updates on the hunger strikers from the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network (read the latest update from May 23, Day 37 of the hunger strike) and the Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association.

If you are in Canada, use this online tool from Students Against Israeli Apartheid at York University to call on the Canadian government to support Palestinian prisoner demands

Sign the Americas-wide petition in support of the hunger strikers.

Participate in and share the #saltwaterchallenge to show your support:

Update your social media profile pics to the image below:

 

Follow and share tweets with the hashtags #FreedomAndDignity, #DignityStrike, and #PalHunger.

Join or host a solidarity event in your city on May 25.

Respond to the calls from Palestinian civil society to grow support for the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement. (Read BNC support statements from April 17, May 9, and May 24).