Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The escalation of the Hamas-Israel conflict has sparked a boycott movement against Israeli products. The boycott or generally called the BDS movement (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) aims to pressure Israel in the political-economic realm so that the occupation of Palestine can end.
This movement then received widespread attention throughout the world because it was considered the only easy way to fight Israel. So, is this movement effective?
Since it was first launched in 2005, the BDS movement has indirectly caused Israel and the United States (US), as loyal allies, to suffer. At first, they did not see the propaganda as a threat.
Unfortunately, when the atmosphere cools down, BDS propaganda is like a snowball rolling down the mountain.
Slowly but surely, obey Ellen Cannon in “The BDS and Anti-BDS Campaigns” (Jewish Political Studies Review, 2019)BDS has succeeded in becoming the best tool of resistance capable of demonizing, delegitimizing and criticizing Israel, Zionism, Jews and the US.
“The BDS movement has succeeded in penetrating the global political conversation and has succeeded in portraying Israel and its supporters as a country worthy of delegitimization and isolation on the world stage. Even though this has not resulted in the creation of Palestine or real improvements for civilians,” wrote Ellen Cannon.
In many countries, BDS propaganda has received special attention. There are already many local BDS movements, including in Indonesia, which are affiliated with central BDS. On its official website, BDS claims that many countries, well-known groups or individuals have taken part in boycotting Israel.
In Kuwait, for example, the government officially boycotted 50 products related to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Or when the Chilean government froze trade cooperation as a form of oppression in the Gaza Strip.
Then in Australia, quote The New Arabic, On January 6 2022, Australian television gave a special place to the BDS movement and pro-Palestinian propaganda by broadcasting an exclusive interview with pro-BDS Palestinian activist Jennine Khalik. This broadcast then received great attention from the public and succeeded in cornering Israel.
Based on cases like this, according to political analyst Dov Waxman, Israel is starting to feel that the BDS movement is a threat that must be taken into account.
“BDS is seen as a real threat to Israel’s legitimacy and standing at the global level. If this is allowed, it will destroy Israel,” said Dov, quoted from Al Jazeera.
As a result, not wanting this threat to become a time bomb that could bankrupt us, the Jewish State rushed to launch an anti-BDS project in 2010, aka 5 years after the initial launch of BDS.
Quote Al Jazeera, The main aim of anti-BDS is to delegitimize BDS which will spread propaganda massively in order to thwart BDS propaganda. Of course, this is done by pouring large funds.
There are at least two ways the Israeli government can do this.
Firstpropaganda through the media.
In the case that occurred in Australia in 2022, for example, the Israeli government immediately sent US$ 30 million or Rp. 477 billion to fund the global campaign against BDS.
When they arrived in Australia the funds were used for a concert called the Sydney Festival. Later the concert will be filled with pro-Israel musicians who will not only perform musical performances, but also spread kindness about Israel. Although, the concert was also boycotted by anti-Israel activists.
Apart from concerts, the funds are also used for propaganda through journalistic products. The government collaborates with national and global media to improve Israel’s image.
Israeli media report +972 noted that this method had been used since June 2017 when the government officially released fantastic funds worth US$ 2 million or Rp. 31 billion. Later the funds will be channeled to national and global scale media companies based in Israel, the Middle East or the United States.
In the future, they will release informational content that attacks Palestine and raises Israel’s good name. These funds will also be used to pay for anti-BDS propaganda advertisements spread on world-renowned social media.
Then, how second is through political lobbying in various countries. Perhaps, this effort is quite fruitful.
Referring to Ellen Cannon’s research, the United States is the country that receives the most anti-BDS propaganda. It is known that the federal government and the majority of states have officially opposed the BDS movement.
They argue that the movement founded by Omar Barghouti spreads anti-Semitism, politics of hatred, fear and intimidation. Moreover, during the emergence of the BDS movement, many people began to take anti-Semitic attitudes. It is on this basis that the relevant authorities will take firm action against the BDS movement.
Not only the US, this is also the case in Germany. The cities of Munich and Frankfurt are one of the two cities that have issued regulations to boycott Israeli products because they are considered to be spreading anti-Semitic beliefs.
Who Wins in This Propaganda ‘War’?
So far both parties have declared victory.
According to Steven A. Cook in Foreign Policy, The BDS movement has been declared defeated and failed. Steven said that BDS activists had the wrong strategy because they spread propaganda more on well-known campuses.
“The problem is, the BDS resolution that was distributed on campus did little to change the world’s view of Israel, which is an important geopolitical and economic player. Israeli products are still popular and growing rapidly,” he said.
Meanwhile, Palestinian activist Rihab Charida stated that anti-BDS counter-propaganda efforts did not have a big impact. This is because the tax funds of Israeli citizens that flow for image purposes alone are still less than the massive distribution of broadcasts that spread throughout the world about oppression in Palestine.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
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