BDS Italy expresses its unequivocal and absolute condemnation of the shameful posters plastered around the city of Rome by the neo-fascist group Militia, as well as the general cooptation of the Palestinian cause by the extreme right to spread anti-Semitism. BDS Italy denounces anti-Semitism as racist and reactionary ideology and condemns the use of Palestinian suffering as a pretext and tool for spreading this vile ideology. In particular, we condemn the fascist call to boycott Jewish-owned businesses, a call which includes an appalling "blacklist".
BDS Italy notes that the campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel [1] is a strategy of nonviolent struggle, formulated by Palestinian civil society drawing inspiration from the anti-Apartheid movement in South Africa, to put pressure on a State responsible for violations of international law and human rights humans. It has nothing to do with the odious and despicable maneuvers of fascists new and old.
BDS Italy also stresses that the global movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions refuses all forms of racism, including Islamophobia and anti-Semitism.
While the posters are the work of a small group of Nazi-Fascists, the BDS movement is supported by solidarity groups, including Jewish groups, NGOs, trade unions, churches, artists and intellectuals throughout the world, including in Israel. [2]
These far right groups, while at present a minority, should, however, not be underestimated. It is important to remain vigilant against them and their attempts at resurgence and expansion.
BDS Italy calls on all people of conscience to denounce these despicable attempts to manipulate the Palestinian struggle and solidarity movements and to join the Palestinian-led campaign for BDS, committing to boycott Israel until it respects human rights and international law.
Now more than ever Palestine needs genuine and effective solidarity.
BDS Italia
http://bdsitalia.org
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BDS Italia is a movement supporting boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel, comprised of associations and groups throughout Italy, who endorse the 2005 call from Palestinian civil society and work to promote BDS campaigns and initiatives locally and nationally
Notes:
[1] The Palestinian call for BDS including the list of Italian endorsements:
http://bdsitalia.org/index.php/campagna-bds/77-appello-bds
[2] Examples of support for BDS:
http://bdsitalia.org/index.php/campagna-bds/143-dicono-del-bds