On social media, Emiratis, Bahrainis and Israelis are reaching out to one another in celebration of the historic Abraham Accord, which has normalized informal relations between Israel and the two countries. State leaders, cultural figures, and private citizens are already extending invitations to visit each other and discussing possible ways to collaborate. The overwhelming majority of countries in the world have welcomed this breakthrough, which offers optimistic hope for peace and prosperity in the region.
Predictably, the Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which aims to isolate Israel economically, culturally, and geopolitically, is singing a different tune.
The movement’s core principle of “
anti-normalization” works to restrict any interaction between Israelis and Arabs, and
considers any form of cooperation treasonous. “Strongly condemning” the Abraham Accord, the BDS movement is now calling for a full boycott of UAE sponsored activities, festivals, and projects.
The official BDS movement website
defines normalization as “the participation in any project, initiative or activity, in Palestine or internationally, that aims (implicitly or explicitly) to bring together Palestinians (and/or Arabs) and Israelis (people or institutions) without placing as its goal resistance to and exposure of the Israeli occupation.”
The BDS charter explicitly
rejects “co-existence” between Arabs and Israeli Jews and instead preaches “co-resistance,” an ideology that even excludes “
cooperating with the leftist Zionists who take part in demonstrations or call themselves peace activists.” “Dialogue,” “healing,” and “reconciliation” are all considered forms of normalization, and thus censured by the BDS movement.
Consequently, Arabs and Israelis who choose to enjoy a cup of coffee together, or attend a sporting event or a concert, are fair game to be targeted and publicly shamed by BDS proponents. They harass, bully, intimidate, silence, and violently threaten ordinary citizens and public figures who dare interact with Israeli Jews.
Sadly, the greatest victims of anti-normalization are Palestinians themselves, who are prevented from exercising free speech, artistic freedom, and earning a livelihood.
(full article online)
By Ari Ingel & Karys R. Oschin On social media, Emiratis, Bahrainis and Israelis are reaching out to one another in celebration of the historic Abraham Accord, which has normalized informal relations between Israel and the two countries. State
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