A third of Americans say it’s legitimate to boycott Israel
New poll ahead of anti-divestment conference finds the majority, however, sees the BDS movement as modern anti-Semitism
Stuart Winer is a breaking news editor at The Times of Israel.
One-third of Americans think the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement presents a legitimate strategy against Israel, while nearly two-thirds see it as anti-Semitic, a new poll found.
Details of some of the findings from a survey by Ipsos were published by Channel 2 on Monday, a day ahead of a United Nations conference about BDS against Israel.
The poll, which sampled 1,100 people across the US, found 33 percent believe boycotting Israel is legitimate. A similar survey in Britain found 40% see divestment as a legitimate measure.
On the other hand, nearly two-thirds (62%) in the US, and 50% in the UK, felt that BDS movement is anti-Semitism in a modern guise.
The conference is to be hosted by Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon in cooperation with the World Jewish Congress, the Zionist Organization of America, Keren Hayesod, the American Center for Law and Justice, the Anti-Defamation League, Israel Bonds, StandWithUs, B’nai B’rith International, Hillel, and other organizations.
“We have no ally more important than the United States of America and we have no closer friends than the American community in all its diversity,” Danon said, according to the report. “Nonetheless, the young students of today are less committed to the special connection between the two countries than previous generations.”
Some 1,500 people are expected to take part, including students, legal experts, opinion makers, and representatives from dozens of organizations campaigning against BDS.
“There is no doubt that the BDS movement doesn’t let up in its efforts to harm Israel,” Danon noted. “Together with our partners, we will continue to stand firm in the face of any threat, and we will win.”
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