"BDS" stands for boycott, divestment, and sanctions, expressly non-violent tactics meant to pressure the Israeli government to end its denial of Palestinian rights and comply with international law. The BDS movement is a global social movement. Through BDS activities, individuals can take action for Palestinian rights without waiting for governments to act. BDS tactics were used successfully in the struggle against South African apartheid and in the U.S. civil rights movement.  

The formal BDS movement led by Palestinians has three specific goals, all of which are consistent with international law: the end of Israel’s military occupation of Palestinian territories, the right of return for all Palestinian refugees expelled and barred from historical Palestine since 1948, and full equal rights for all citizens of Israel no matter their religion.

A broad coalition of Palestinian civil society groups made the formal call for BDS in 2005. They were joined by, among others, U.N. Special Rapporteur Richard Falk in October 2012. 

For arguments supporting boycott, see article by orthodox Jewish studies professor Jeremiah Haber (2012) and op-ed by BDS campaigner Omar Barghouti in the New York Daily News (2013). See also The BDS Movement at 10: An Interview with Omar Barghouti (July 2015).

In May 2016 the Harvard Law Review published a helpful article on how anti-BDS legislation violates the First Amendment.

What to boycott?  See "know what to boycott" page and FAQs at bdsmovement.net.

List of selected BDS successes in the U.S.: prepared by the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights.

The Campaign for Academic and Cultural Boycott: http://bdsmovement.net/pacbi.

Economic boycotts and divestment which focus on companies that directly profit from or help to maintain the occupation:

• bdsmovement.net/get-involved/what-to-boycott

• afsc.org/investigate (company information)

• U.S. Campaign for Palestinians Rights bds campaigns

• justicewithpeace.org/node/2484 (Sabra and Tribe hummus)

• phillybds.org (Sabra and Tribe hummus)

• vtjp.org/icecream/boycott.htm (Ben & Jerry's ice cream)

• act.stolenhomes.org (Airbnb)

• whoprofits.org. For a list of products made in illegal settlements, choose "settlements' products" in box "involvement category".

Sanctions: While sanctions must be applied by governments, individuals can urge the government to impose sanctions. See Make Military Aid Conditional.