Israel, Palestine, BDS, and the right to boycott in the US | The Take

In the US, the history of the boycott as a protest movement dates back at least as far as the Boston Tea Party. Yet today, many states have legislation designed to penalize those boycotting. What does Israel have to do with the right to protest in the United States?

In this episode: 

- Julia Bacha, Filmmaker and Creative Director at Just Vision

Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana and our host Malika Bilal. Sarí el-Khalili and Negin Owliaei fact-checked this episode.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik, and Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer.

Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.

[larsthorwald]

Telling me I'm not allowed to boycott the Israeli government is the fastest way to get me to boycott the Israeli government. I don't live under a dictatorship.

[cf]

For those saying boycotting doesn't work, why are they trying to vote a law against it then???

[historychannel]

If boycotting is ineffective, then why are they attempting to pass legislation prohibiting it?

[cf]

You can't force us to purchase what we don't want to 🙄

[jimmycanuck]

In a country where most top politicians owe their jobs to the Israeli lobby, what do you expect? Israel pretty much owns the U.S. government. Do you remember when Netanyahu showed up to address Congress without a request or invitation by the White House? He didn't need permission because it's his Congress. The American Congress stood and clapped like trained seals.

[MartinMartin-yito]

Not only do we have to boycott Israel but also the USA and the UK.

[jeremyrogers]

I am already boycotting Israel. Including any associated businesses.

[loganpowell]

Supreme Court should find these laws unconstitutional

[ezinwanyiezinwanyi]

People do not have to use your services or products!! Have morals and do the right thing!!

[sb]

People are realizing corporate greed and Israel 🇮🇱 bribing politicians isn’t the way. Make your coffee at home. What are they gonna do, arrest anyone who doesn’t want to drink Starbucks? 😂

[MdAminulIslam-unpi]

This will strengthen the BDS movement which is a must for safety of Humanity. Keep boycotting because Its Works and the world knows it. Free Palestine.

[jammiebooker]

An informed and organized consumer base is the best weapon and most feared combatant against an oppressive state.

[kistanit]

Boycott is happening in the countries throughout of the world.

[waqmanimeanime]

My God how are the American public okay to accept their rights being taken away by Israel.

[khantechnicalbdk]

Pls boycott israel and USA product pls please please free free palastine 🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇱🇧 yeman ❤️❤️❤️ from India 🇮🇳

[nancy]

How can anyone force you to buy boycotted products?

[ashbody]

Data from Tik-tok shows support for the Palestinian people at a ratio of 50:1 over the Israelis. (Data from TRT World - Is Israel losing the Social Media War? Time: 2:36) Pro-Israel can spin it any way they want, but those figures are significant. Boycotting even at 1/10th those numbers is gonna hurt big-time. Power to the people!

[sameerbrown]

We can not unlearn the truth ✊

Free Palestine 🍉🇵🇸❤️

[GeteMachine]

That woman should sue, for being forced to sign that or lose her job. Israel's interests are a foreign influence. Making it so you cant oppose the government in another country is absurd. These laws are unconstitutional.

[CircaBEFORE]

These anti-boycott legislations must be challenged in court with anyone that has standing.