Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions Press Release

PRESS STATEMENT:

Four BDS boycott of Israel Successes coming out of Latin America

02 May 2016

CHILE: In a referendum held last Monday (25 April 2016) the University of Chile’s Law Faculty students voted overwhelmingly for Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) against Israel. The referendum came following a 6 month intense campaign (and counter campaign by pro-Israeli groups, who were ultimately defeated at the polls). More than 60% of students voted for cutting university ties with Israeli universities involved in violating Palestinian human rights. In addition, 56% of students voted that activities involving Israeli officials or state funding should not take place at the Law Faculty.

 

URUGUAY: On the 20th of April 2016, the Uruguayan Federation of Workers of Services and Commerce (Fuecys) became the latest trade union to back BDS with a public call to Uruguayan companies to boycott Israel. 

 

BRAZIL: At the beginning of the month (02 April 2016) following a BDS campaign led by various civil society organisations and trade unions, the Brazilian state of Bahia ended its agreement with the Israeli water company Mekorot. 

COLOMBIA:  Last month on the 25th of February 2016 it was announced that the popular chain in Colombia, Crepes & Waffles, will be ending their contract with G4S Security (that is involved in Israeli human rights abuses against Palestinians). The announcement came after a one year BDS campaign by civil society organisations. 

 
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BDS South Africa’s National Spokesperson Kwara Kekana recently returned from a two week BDS speaking and work tour of Latin America. Kekana was joined by the BDS Coordinator for Latin America Pedro Charbel and the BDS National Committee General Coordinator Mahmoud Nawajaa from Ramallah (Palestine). Kekana together with Charbel and Nawajaa met with various government officials, civil society organisations, social movements and student groups in Chile, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and Argentina to promote, strengthen and advance the BDS movement in the region.

Inspired by the successful boycott against Apartheid South Africa, in 2005 Palestinian civil society issued a call and started a non-violent campaign for boycotts, divestments and sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it meets its international law obligations. Today the BDS movement is active in several continents and countries.

Find online: http://tinyurl.com/fourlatinamericavictories

For more information: Kwara Kekana (BDS South Africa) +27 (0) 74 054 3826 or Pedro Charbel (BDS Latin America Coordinator) +55 (0) 11 97 603 5014

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