Prepare for the above claim – masquerading as the title – to be swiftly employed by hawkish politicians and ‘pro-Israel’ squawk boxes alike.
Why? The Netherlands’ oldest engineering firm, Royal Haskoning, has canceled a massive water treatment project with the Jerusalem municipality after intense pressure from the Dutch government to do so.
The reason: part of the plant would have been built over the Green Line, in Palestinian territory. According to Haaretz, the firm pulled out of the deal after strong pressure from the Dutch government, and released a statement detailing its refusal to violate international law:
“Royal HaskoningDHV carries out its work with the highest regard for integrity and in compliance with international laws and regulations,” it stated. “In the course of the project, and after due consultation with various stakeholders, the company came to understand that future involvement in the project could be in violation of international law. This has led to the decision of Royal HaskoningDHV to terminate its involvement in the project.”
The Dutch government warned Royal HaskoningDHV about the possible consequences of carrying out projects for Israeli companies in East Jerusalem or the West Bank.
This move will likely be characterized by hawkish individuals in America as a ‘boycott’ intended to bring Israel to its knees – as an existential threat to the country’s existence. Now, as I’ll detail in a moment, this decision by the Dutch engineering firm isn’t the result of a boycott, but rather adherence to new EU guidelines.
However, even if it were a boycott aimed at pressuring the Israeli government to move away from the occupation and settlement enterprise, such a nonviolent ‘protest’ would have nothing to do with advocating for the elimination of Israel, and everything with using economic protests to effect change.
This doesn’t stop a cacophonous component in America from often claiming otherwise regarding the use of boycotts to effect change, as I know all too well. (In a review for my forthcoming book – What Do You Buy the Children of the Terrorist Who Tried to Kill Your Wife? – conservative commenters called me an anti-Semite and Israel-hater due to my support for the idea of nonviolent boycotts or sanctions to move pressure Israel to change its geo-political stances.)
That said, the move by Royal Haskoning – and the Dutch government – is in line with new guidelines established by the E.U. (set to go into effect in 2014) forbidding European companies from doing business with Israeli institutions which have facilities in the Occupied Territories.
Per Noam Sheizaf regarding those guidelines:
One of its first articles states that, “the EU does not recognize Israel’s sovereignty” in any of the territories captured in 1967, including the Golan and East Jerusalem, “irrespective of their legal status under domestic Israeli law.” The EU, therefore, will not enter projects with organizations that are based or operate in the occupied territories.
Such guidelines themselves have inspired some to evoke Nazi-era boycotts of Jews as a parallel for Europe’s true intentions.
We are still at a stage in America in which critiques of, and protests against, Israel will inspire illegitimate claims of anti-Semitism and destruction-of-Israel motivations.
Claims intended only to shut down dialogue and debate.
Follow David Harris-Gershon on Twitter @David_EHG
Author’s Note:
In the past, I have voiced my support for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS). However, to be clear, I don’t align with the movement, but with the principles of such nonviolent methods to effect change.
Put another way: a) As a liberal Zionist, I believe in the two-State solution, b) I view the occupation and the settlement enterprise as not just tragic moral failings and the cause of much Palestinian suffering, but a threat to Israel itself, and c) I support the idea of sanctions to pressure Israel to move away from these policies. I don’t align with any official BDS movement, but instead support non-violent protest to change policies.
“The reason: part of the plant would have been built over the Green Line, in Palestinian territory.”
Huh? When was East Jerusalem “Palestinian territory”? And you cal yourself a journalist?
Claiming to support the Two State Solution while pushing BDS is as ridiculous as claiming to support the Red Sox while buying a Yankees luxury box.
I urge you again to simply be honest about your intentions regarding Israel. You may lose a few book buyers, but you’ll probably sleep better at night.
Funny how Gershon calls himself a journalist
I understand now. Boycotts are simply a tool to “change policies”. So certainly there must be other countries whose policies you would like to change. Perhaps Russia’s treatment of gays. Or China’s slave labor. Or Belarus’ dictatorship. Or Iran’s treatment of gays, Christians, Zoroastrians, and women. But surprisingly, I looked through your writings and couldn’t find you advocating boycotting any of these. I must have just missed it.
Yeah I can’t imagine, how those got missed… You know what else is interesting… are the missing comments about supporting sanctions against the Proto-Fascist administration of Hamas in Gaza. Their discriminatory policies and outrageous actions (you know… dragging bodies through the streets or hanging them from cranes) surely are worth also asking for boycotts, divestment and sanctions? Right? You will be discussing this issue David… won’t you?
Oh but right… instead you use a sig, line at Daily Kos that is a quote from Judith Butler, you know… the academic who openly supports a Palestinian One State Solution that BDS claims supports equal rights for both Jews and Arabs (something that only 29.5% of the Palestinian Population supports itself) and calls Hamas and Hizbollah “Progressive movements”.
Will you be publishing a disclaimer about that as well?
So, if Johnny does it, I can too? Not exactly a foundation of foreign policy. In Syria, Johnny is gassing his citizens.
David… Direct questions for you… SO.. you claim you support the Two State Solution, but let’s get a tad more specific David. So here they are:
1. Do you support a Two State Solution that includes full “Right of Return for all Palestinian Refugees as they are defined by the United Nations”?
2. If so, wouldn’t you admit that this would result in the destruction of Israel as the State was conceived and created?
3. If not, what exactly do you support with regards to the refugees?
4. Since you advocate that Israel end it’s “illegal” (your terminology) Occupation of the West Bank and Jerusalem, who should they turn that territory over to? Currently over 90% of the Palestinian Polity favors either Hamas or Fatah. Do you as a “Human Rights Activist” believe that the Israelis should cede territory to Hamas, a proto-fascist, theocratic based group, and if so how do you square advocating for Hamas gaining that territory SHOULD they win the next (if ever) Palestinian election with your advocacy for Human Rights? OR do you support the illegitimate Abbas Government gaining that territory, a government that in itself is a notorious human rights abuser?
5. Given the conflict, what would you support with regards to Israeli Security?
David.. I am giving you a chance to address some serious issues. People think you are an “anti-Semite” and “Self hater” not because you feel a need to “humanize” the Palestinians, but because you pander to the those crowds with your rhetoric, your policy of NOT standing up to anti-Semitism or Z.O.G. conspiracy theories when they appear in your articles, your support for BDS as a tactic though you full well know that it only discriminates against Israeli Jews, your continual attempts to smear anyone who disagrees with you as a “conservative”, and your support for Z.O.G. theories that come straight out of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion (like wondering aloud if AIPAC really controls our government and questioning the loyalty of U.S. Jewish Representatives).
Many of us who do feel that you are either an “anti-Semite” or “Self Hater” are Liberal Democrats. I co-founded the group “Jews for President Obama”. The last place I would ever vote is for any member of the G.O.P. at this point in time. Regarding Israel, everyone that I blog with or hang with supported Avodah, Meretz, and Ha’Tanuah (with a couple of Yesh Atid supporters thrown in), so I guess there goes that meme.
You want people to think of you in a less negative light? Why not address the questions above? You have been asked them time and time again – yet you refuse to say what you support in the alternative.
Most of this talk is inane hateful and ignorant pap. You all have been fighting with each other since before the Exodus. And so have the Arabs and their ilk. A pox on both your houses.
Why don’t you haters leave America to Americans and go to your new ‘homeland’ – Israel – where you can utilize all of your nuclear WMDs to kill each other and de-populate the Middle East entirely, which seems go be your goal in life.
Alice, where did your family come over to America? i know you are not a native American.
Gee Alice… Who are real “Americans”? I guess not us Jooz, or not Teh Arabzzzzz, I mean who knew I wasn’t a real “American”? My father was an officer in the U.S. Army in WWII and I was born and raised here (and am damn proud of it), but, I guess being a pesky JOOOOOO doesn’t mean I am ‘Murincan, now does it? Bigot….
Honesty requires that one of the following positions be upheld:
1. A two state solution of Israel and of Palestine using the 1967 borders plus reparations to Palestinians who have had their homes inside Israel confiscated and those inside Palestine destroyed, plus U.N. negotiated treaties regarding water rights, mineral rights, defense, etc.
2. A one state solution that unites Israel and Palestine into one democratic country and return of all confiscated property and reparations for destroyed property.
3. Continued apartheid inside Israel and Palestine by a minority government using unending war to maintain control.
Sounds like only Israel has to give and the Palestinians get.is that what its all about? Is there, perhaps, anything the Arab world ha to give in this deal?
Ronald:
So the Arab world is completely off the hook in your scenario? No compensation, or even an apology, for the million Jews who were forced from their homes in the Arab world, with their property stolen? No compensation or apology for launching four wars of genocidal intent, or for decades of terrorism against civilians?
I don’t think so. A just settlement to the conflict would have to address their wrongs too.
You all have such passion. What solution do you propose that would be pro-justice, pro-peace, pro-Israel, pro-Paestine and pro-all-humanity?
What is the good, divine vision that you all seek?
You want a solution that will work? The Palestinians can have a viable state that is federated with Jordan that includes much, but not al of the West Bank and Gaza. Abbas had already floated such an idea.
ON another note, ending the use of Sarin in Syrian would be pro-humanity as well. It is not just all Jews al the time
Thank you, Sid, for sharing.
I’m not clear what you mean by “it is not just all Jews all the time”. If you mean we must never scapegoat any people ever again, especially Jews, I heartily agree!
What I meant was that it was not about give give give on the part of Israel without reciprocity on the part of the Palestinians
I hear both sides complaining about this
Not really. Just read through those blogs.
This pretty much sums up israel:
“The Israeli Lobby owns the Congress, media, Hollywood, Wall Street, both political parties, and the White House. This kind of talk will get people fired by this lobby, as we have seen recently with White House correspondent Helen Thomas and CNN anchor Rick Sanchez. However, many Americans are growing tired of the arrogance of the Israel Lobby and their bigoted attitudes toward anyone who challenges their influence-peddling and their ridiculous insistence that Israel must be supported because of some ancient fairy tales involving some tribes who wandered the deserts of the Middle East and saw and heard non-existent things because of sun stroke, drinking bad water, and smoking local hallucinogenic plants.” – Anonymous