What is "BDS"?
In 2005, Palestinian civil society issued a call for a campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian human rights. This is within the context of extensive, ongoing, and well-documented human rights violations committed by the Israeli state against Palestinian populations living under one form of Israeli control or another.
The campaign for boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) is shaped by a rights-based approach and highlights the three broad sections of the Palestinian people: the refugees, those under military occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and Palestinians in Israel. The call urges various forms of boycott against complicit institutions and organisations until the Israeli government meets its obligations under international law by:
What is the UofT Divest campaign?
The UofT Divest campaign operates within the framework of the global Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) campaign, but focuses on the "divestment" element of BDS. The campaign is specifically aimed at pressuring the University of Toronto to divest its money from weapons manufacturers that profit from violations of Palestinian human rights (e.g. through sales of military equipment and technology used against Palestinian civilians). The University of Toronto is currently invested in at least three American companies that fit this description (see our full brief on this subject).
The UofT Divest campaign was started in response to a motion passed by the Annual General Meeting of the UTGSU (University of Toronto Graduate Students Union) in December 2012, which reads:
Be it resolved that the Graduate Students Union endorse Palestinian civil society’s 2005 call for boycotts, divestment and sanctions by calling on the University of Toronto to refrain from investing in all companies complicit in violations of international law. This includes any company that: profits from the illegal occupation of Palestinian land, directly benefits from the construction of the Wall and Israeli settlements, is economically active in settlements, and profits from the collective punishment of Palestinians. This would include the companies BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Hewlett Packard.
The UofT Divest campaign seeks to move this motion forward. It is run and organised by student volunteers and members of the UTGSU's Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Committee. Through educational events, the UofT Divest campaign also seeks to raise awareness and promote discussion of the wider BDS movement, Palestinian human rights issues generally, anti-racism and anti-colonialism, solidarity with Indigenous peoples' struggles on Turtle Island and elsewhere, as well as any other intersections with human rights and social justice.
Does the BDS campaign advocate boycotting individuals due to their Israeli nationality?
No, this runs against the moral principles of the BDS movement and of the UofT Divest campaign. BDS only advocates for divestment from companies, organisations and institutions that are directly complicit, or profit from, violations of Palestinian human rights. Individuals cannot, and should not, be targeted due to their nationality.
Does BDS target all Israeli organisations/companies/businesses? Does it target Israeli organisations only?
No, as mentioned above, the BDS campaign targets only companies, organisations and institutions that are directly complicit, or profit from, violations of Palestinian human rights. This includes companies based in any country or region. Of course, Israeli companies are likely to figure prominently in this category; however, so are companies from the US, Canada, and other western countries that profit closely from Israel's policies and actions. The companies targeted by the UofT Divest campaign are major American corporations.
We will be adding to this section as we go. If you have further questions, feel free to email us at [email protected].
You can also consult the F.A.Q. at bdsmovement.net (concerning the wider BDS movement).
In 2005, Palestinian civil society issued a call for a campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian human rights. This is within the context of extensive, ongoing, and well-documented human rights violations committed by the Israeli state against Palestinian populations living under one form of Israeli control or another.
The campaign for boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) is shaped by a rights-based approach and highlights the three broad sections of the Palestinian people: the refugees, those under military occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and Palestinians in Israel. The call urges various forms of boycott against complicit institutions and organisations until the Israeli government meets its obligations under international law by:
- Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands occupied in June 1967 and dismantling the Wall;
- Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and
- Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN Resolution 194.
What is the UofT Divest campaign?
The UofT Divest campaign operates within the framework of the global Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) campaign, but focuses on the "divestment" element of BDS. The campaign is specifically aimed at pressuring the University of Toronto to divest its money from weapons manufacturers that profit from violations of Palestinian human rights (e.g. through sales of military equipment and technology used against Palestinian civilians). The University of Toronto is currently invested in at least three American companies that fit this description (see our full brief on this subject).
The UofT Divest campaign was started in response to a motion passed by the Annual General Meeting of the UTGSU (University of Toronto Graduate Students Union) in December 2012, which reads:
Be it resolved that the Graduate Students Union endorse Palestinian civil society’s 2005 call for boycotts, divestment and sanctions by calling on the University of Toronto to refrain from investing in all companies complicit in violations of international law. This includes any company that: profits from the illegal occupation of Palestinian land, directly benefits from the construction of the Wall and Israeli settlements, is economically active in settlements, and profits from the collective punishment of Palestinians. This would include the companies BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Hewlett Packard.
The UofT Divest campaign seeks to move this motion forward. It is run and organised by student volunteers and members of the UTGSU's Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Committee. Through educational events, the UofT Divest campaign also seeks to raise awareness and promote discussion of the wider BDS movement, Palestinian human rights issues generally, anti-racism and anti-colonialism, solidarity with Indigenous peoples' struggles on Turtle Island and elsewhere, as well as any other intersections with human rights and social justice.
Does the BDS campaign advocate boycotting individuals due to their Israeli nationality?
No, this runs against the moral principles of the BDS movement and of the UofT Divest campaign. BDS only advocates for divestment from companies, organisations and institutions that are directly complicit, or profit from, violations of Palestinian human rights. Individuals cannot, and should not, be targeted due to their nationality.
Does BDS target all Israeli organisations/companies/businesses? Does it target Israeli organisations only?
No, as mentioned above, the BDS campaign targets only companies, organisations and institutions that are directly complicit, or profit from, violations of Palestinian human rights. This includes companies based in any country or region. Of course, Israeli companies are likely to figure prominently in this category; however, so are companies from the US, Canada, and other western countries that profit closely from Israel's policies and actions. The companies targeted by the UofT Divest campaign are major American corporations.
We will be adding to this section as we go. If you have further questions, feel free to email us at [email protected].
You can also consult the F.A.Q. at bdsmovement.net (concerning the wider BDS movement).