The boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel, growing in global strength, is slammed in the supposedly progressive Israel Policy Forum:
It is not uncommon for musical groups and artists that play in Israel to be boycotted. Recent concerts by Madonna, Depeche Mode and Paul McCartney all underwent the same treatment—and all came to Israel with great fanfare anyway.
All of this begs the question: are the Israel boycotts working?
If their aim, as Gordon’s op-ed in the Los Angeles Times argued, is to generate pressure that will push the parties to a two state solution, the answer is a clear no. Gordon’s view that “nothing else has worked” represents the frustration on the Israeli left due to a lack of movement in the peace process. But boycotts meant to ostracize Israel are making Israelis less receptive to such reconciliation, not more. Those who boycott Israel are only delaying and even reducing the chances of the peaceful settlement that is so critical to the futures of Israelis and Palestinians alike.