The Israel boycott requires a lot of mental math. Boycotting companies for operating in the occupied territories for example. I have to know which companies are there before I purchase something, which is just a lot of research. Most people don’t do that.
Doesn’t help some countries tried to get it on the books that boycotting Israel is antisemitism, which is still a touchy subject in Europe unless you’re a neo-nazi. It’s also a conflict that’s been ongoing since the formation of Israel and while horrific, doesn’t touch the lives of most Europeans. The US is making direct threats to people’s prosperity and safety.
I’m not saying that the BDS movement isn’t good BTW, it’s clearly a noble cause. But outside of the difficulty of keeping up with it, it has also become somewhat alike to vegan snobbery, with the most rabid adherents feeling a sort of moral superiority to others who can’t afford to spend that much time researching every purchase or can’t change the products they choose.
Most in the US boycott movement say “boycott where you can”. They understand it’s not possible for all people to just let go of everything. For example autistic people who need certain brands because of their routine, or people who need medication that’s under US patents. I’ve never heard such thoughtful consideration from the BDS movement.
The Israel boycott requires a lot of mental math. Boycotting companies for operating in the occupied territories for example. I have to know which companies are there before I purchase something, which is just a lot of research. Most people don’t do that.
Doesn’t help some countries tried to get it on the books that boycotting Israel is antisemitism, which is still a touchy subject in Europe unless you’re a neo-nazi. It’s also a conflict that’s been ongoing since the formation of Israel and while horrific, doesn’t touch the lives of most Europeans. The US is making direct threats to people’s prosperity and safety.
I’m not saying that the BDS movement isn’t good BTW, it’s clearly a noble cause. But outside of the difficulty of keeping up with it, it has also become somewhat alike to vegan snobbery, with the most rabid adherents feeling a sort of moral superiority to others who can’t afford to spend that much time researching every purchase or can’t change the products they choose.
Most in the US boycott movement say “boycott where you can”. They understand it’s not possible for all people to just let go of everything. For example autistic people who need certain brands because of their routine, or people who need medication that’s under US patents. I’ve never heard such thoughtful consideration from the BDS movement.