Aims | Why | Do it yourself

A BDS campaign at local government level works very like a divestment or sanctions campaign at a local and institutional level.

Aims

Action at the level of local and regional governments aims to cut all ties between municipalities or regional councils and Israel at cultural, economic, and diplomatic levels. This can be achieved by passing measures or resolutions targeting Israeli produce, institutional ties and cooperation or investments and bonds the local government may hold in Israel.

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Why

The municipal boycott can be used to enforce the consumer boycott at a local institutional level. Moreover, it can ensure official city investments, contracts and business deals do not go to Israeli bonds and companies and end support for the Israeli economy and occupation as a whole. Moreover, a boycott against those using Israeli technology and goods provides an effective mechanism by which to discourage further investment and business with Israel.

This type of boycott can build much greater awareness among citizens with the potential for building educational and broader solidarity initiatives at a local level. Municipalities can also build into the boycott activities a database of the responses obtained from their research efforts into the economic ties existing between businesses with Israel. This information will be useful to other elements of the boycott, particular campaigners of the wider consumer boycotts and divestment campaigns.

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Do it yourself

The South African struggle is one example of a historical model for how local governments can be a successful agent in the sanctions movement. About 20 local authorities in the UK held some form of resolution or measure in support of the South African struggle, with around ten councils imposing a permanent boycott. Sheffield City Council (UK) were instrumental in spreading this initiative and coordinating a local policy which challenged South African apartheid through a ban on all purchasing and investment, as well as ensuring anti-apartheid resources and materials were available in library services and education facilities. In more recent years the Cities for Peace initiative in the US resulted in 46 cities passing council motions against the illegal invasion of Iraq, calling for troops to return home amongst other measures. This should serve as an inspiration to activists at a grassroots level and set precedents for the policies presented in the manifestos of candidates standing in local elections.

The campaign to boycott has been taken to municipalities across the world but has yet to develop the strength and support necessary as a mechanism to put pressure on Israeli apartheid.

1. Motions, resolutions and twinning

Local authorities can support the boycott by passing motions, measures and resolutions in support of the Palestinian struggle and condemning Israeli occupation and apartheid; promoting a consumer boycott among their citizens; changing purchasing and investment policy to ensure that councils are not contributing financially to the occupation; and twinning with Palestinian municipalities. Proposed motions and actions have varied so far from a complete ban on Israeli goods and services, to requests from campaigners that the city and local government divest itself from Israeli bonds or shares in Israeli companies. In other cities campaigners work to ban relations with companies complicit with the occupation, such as Caterpillar.
Boycott motions need regular and precise follow-ups in order to be effectively implemented. Even when local authorities and councils make declarations of boycotts, campaigners and activists on the ground need to ensure adherence across the wider community is built and maintained.

2. Engage with your local politicians

Passing resolutions requires a dedication from local level activists to the aims of the BDS campaign, including those active in party politics as well as civil movements. Local representatives need to be made aware that Israel's breaches of international law are a matter of serious concern to their constituents. Write to your representative or lobby them in person, highlighting Israel's breaches of international law and the reality of apartheid on the ground Palestine, and suggesting motions of support and BDS.
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3. Establish a local campaign group to put pressure on local politicians and administrations

Pressure is more effective from coordinated group than from individuals to declare their cities and regional councils ‘apartheid-free zones’. Join or organize a local campaign group to spread the word about putting pressure on politicians. Draft a standard letter and circulate it by email or post. Spread the word by having your campaign group arrange meetings and speakers and invite other members of the public.

4. Link local activism to other BDS campaigns

A number of ongoing BDS campaigns can become targets for the lobbying of local and regional administrations. Campaigns, such as against Caterpillar or Veolia, can be adopted and activists can make use of the research and the public awareness raising already done. In certain cases, campaigns against companies that support Israel’s violations of international law and human rights and with connections to the military sector and research might be readily joined by activists that aim to target those companies for violations of labour, environmental and other laws and rules.

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