P F Tinmore,
et al,
Our friend P F Tinmore is absolutely correct, that the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement is a legitimate form of protest and resistance. It falls right inside the "peaceful means" principle.
Ali Abunimah, "The Battle for Justice in Palestine"
(COMMENT)
As long as the BDS Movement does not organize, instigate, facilitate, participating in, finance, encourage or tolerating hostile activities (
under Article 68 of the GCIV) intended to be committed against Israel or other States or their citizens; or violate international laws (
under Part 2 of the Rome Statutes ICC) --- THEN it is entirely legal. The principle basically states that nations shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered (
A/RES/25/2625 XXV). The BDS Movement falls under that broad brush stroke.
Now, whether it is or is not the biggest threat that Israel faces, is another story entirely. Israel knows very well that their is a
prima facie case involving the violations of Article 49 of the GCIV and Article 8 - 2b (viii) Rome Statutes, wherein there is reasonable cause to believe that Israel
(the Occupying Power) did transfer, directly or indirectly, parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies; in defiance of international law. While there is an argument to be made through litigation, and a question of legality under the permanent status of negotiations in the Oslo Accords, the reasonable man concept suggests their is a long standing violation in progress. This is the open risk that Israel has taken when it embarked on this
(what many would call a) misadventure.
Israel understands that, internationally, the basic sympathy and legal principles of this decision to expand the Settlements beyond those at the time of the Oslo Accords, is with the Palestinians. And that further expansion only exacerbates the already contentious situation.
The BDS Movement is a legitimate form of peaceful resistance in this case. IF the BDS Movement is exacting economic hardship and pain on Israeli West Bank Settlements, THEN, (unfortunately) that is a consequence of the political decision.
Most Respectfully,
R