Alwaght- In the face of an increasing Arab let down of the Palestinian cause and marking another blow to Israeli attempts to demonize solidarity activism, Ireland has become the latest European state to legitimize the global boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement as a means of protest “intended to pressure Israel into ending the occupation.”
What this means for Palestine is that the campaign to criminalize activism in favor of Palestinians against the Israeli occupation is facing counter efforts. Not only do Palestinians have the right to exist in an occupation-free land but they also have the freedom to protest the ongoing aggression through all means possible, especially in a peaceful manner as represented by the BDS movement. And rights movement are working hard to get this point across.
For countries that regard the Palestinian issue as a crucial matter that needs to be solved to restore stability to the Middle East, protesting through boycott is deemed legitimate.
Unfortunately, it appears that non-Muslim countries such as Ireland, Holland, and Sweden are becoming more vocal against the Israeli regime and are showing support to Palestine activism more than some Arab Muslim countries.
Such Muslim countries are expected to be on the frontline in the struggle to regain Palestine’s freedom first because it is a sister Arab country; secondly and more importantly, because it holds high religious significance for Muslims, not to mention basic human rights.
Over the years, several Persian-Gulf states have clandestinely shifted their stance toward the Israeli regime. While making statements that appear to champion the Palestinian cause, such as the Arab League’s closing statements, they have done close to nothing to turn their words into actions.
In fact, they have been even trying to restore ties with Tel Aviv. Israeli media have reported that Saudi Arabia and its allies have asked the Israelis to resume negotiations under new terms which include changes to Riyadh’s “peace” initiative.
The Israeli newspaper Arutz Sheva has reported that Riyadh and its Persian-Gulf allies in addition to Jordan and Egypt have been sending messages to the Israelis through various emissaries, including former British PM Tony Blair.
Recently, rumors suggested that certain Arab countries are holding talks with the Israelis in a bid to overthrow Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and installing Mohammad Dahlan in his place. Dahlan is currently in exile and is considered to be corrupt as well as close to the Israeli security services.
So while such Arab governments plot with the Israeli regime and compromise Palestinians’ rights, Western states such as Ireland are acknowledging these freedoms. And it’s not Ireland alone.
Dutch foreign minister Bert Koenders said that “statements or meetings concerning BDS are protected by freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, as enshrined in the Dutch constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.”
Earlier this year, the Swedish foreign ministry noted that BDS “is a civil society movement. Governments should not interfere in civil society organization views.”
These statements are believed to have been felt heavily by the Israeli regime which has waged a ruthless war of repression against the BDS movement. This war has pushed governments in the UK, France, Canada and the US to introduce anti-democratic legislation to weaken the movement.
According to Riya Hassan, Europe coordinator for the Palestinian BDS National Committee, however, attempts to stifle BDS are not going as planned.
“Israel’s attacks on our movement appear to be backfiring as they have led to European governments and some of the world’s most famous human rights organizations and political organizations across Europe and the world speaking out in defense of our right to advocate BDS.”
With some EU states taking just stances toward the Palestinian cause and rising to the occasion, especially recently by legitimizing the BDS movement, observers regret that many Arab and Muslim states that should be at the forefront of this fight for freedom in Palestine are faltering as they have sold out the cause for the sake of their own interests.
