it described the vote<\/a> as \u201cechoing the demands of the nonviolent, Palestinian-led\u201d B.D.S. movement. The measure says the co-op\u2019s boycott will end when \u201cIsrael complies with international law, including by ceasing unlawful discriminatory practices.\u201d<\/p>\nBut a founder of the global B.D.S. movement, Omar Barghouti, has indicated that its longstanding campaign to boycott, divest and sanction will not end when there is a Palestinian state. This seems to mean, presumably, that even when there is a State of Palestine, the boycott will continue until every Palestinian who wants to move into Israel can do so, until there is no longer a majority Jewish state anywhere in the world.<\/p>\n
B.D.S. differs from other boycott movements that have aimed to change countries rather than effectively eliminate them: In its 25 years of existence, B.D.S. has done almost nothing to advance a Palestinian state. It has done little to weaken this Israeli government. Instead, B.D.S. strengthens the Israeli right, which clings to power with the claim that the world hates Jews and points to the singling out of Israel for boycotting as evidence.<\/p>\n
B.D.S. weakens and undermines the fragile Israeli left, made up of people working for equality and justice for all in Israel and Palestine. And in addition to being ineffective and, in my opinion, counterproductive, the global B.D.S. movement divides local communities like ours in Park Slope.<\/p>\n
Many Jews know about the global movement and experience boycott votes like the co-op\u2019s as endorsements of what I and many other Jews see as the campaign\u2019s eliminationist agenda. They misinterpret the motivations of those who voted for the co-op boycott, thinking that all of them are seeking to end the existence of the one place on earth that\u2019s supposed to be a safe haven for Jews, at a time when antisemitic violence is rising everywhere.<\/p>\n
In the case of the Park Slope Food Co-op, a member was able to use the rules to block all discussion of the boycott proposal, so that no argument could be made during last week\u2019s meeting \u2014 not one word could be spoken \u2014 against the boycott before the vote.<\/p>\n
So what can we do? The single best thing we can do is break the binary. Stop seeing this conflict as Israeli versus Palestinian, and see it instead as those who care about only one side versus those who care about both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n
As a rabbi, I use my platform to speak out regularly against the occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people, against this Israeli government and the Israeli settler movement, and for safety, democracy and freedom for both Israelis and Palestinians. I speak out for the protection of innocent civilians in Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank.<\/p>\n
Standing for all might sound weak or conciliatory. But, to the contrary, supporting Palestinians and Israelis is the only way forward. Our congregation actively supports organizations in Israel and Palestine, such as Standing Together, whose membership of Israeli Jews and Palestinians is working for a shared and equal future, and activists like Aziz Abu Sarah and Maoz Inon, who are Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers.<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t have to be a rabbi to do this. We can change the way we see this conflict and the people who live there, all of whom deserve safety, freedom and peace.<\/p>\n
Upon reflection, I\u2019m not sure that I did the right thing by leaving the Park Slope Food Co-op. The vote hurt, a lot. It hurts too much to be a member right now. But I don\u2019t think it\u2019s a good long-term strategy to walk away.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re more likely to overcome our divisions if we turn toward each other. There are very brave people in Israel and in Palestine who do that every day.<\/p>\n
If they can do it, we can, too.<\/p>\n