Of course, companies hurt the most by BDS actions are Israeli-based businesses such as Ahava and SodaStream. BDS activists have been trumpeting their “victory” over SodaStream, citing falling profits and the company’s relocation from the West Bank.
For years SodaStream’s main production site had been located in Mishor Adumim, where it employed about 900 Palestinians at substantially higher salaries than those offered by the PA administration to its workers. BDS activists painted a distorted picture of exploitation of Palestinian labor under slave conditions, and the company eventually moved its operations to the Israeli Negev.
So while the BDS movement succeeded in deflating SodaStream’s profits, it also deprived hundreds of Palestinians of profitable jobs under excellent conditions.
As stated above, no one will do for us what we Jews have to do for ourselves. Jewish organizations, federations, clubs (including university Hillels), and individuals must rise to the formidable challenges posed by the ever-increasing spread of anti-Israel propaganda and the furious attempts to boycott Israeli products, Israeli companies, and Israeli universities.
American Jews in the past have flexed their muscles and undertaken, with enormous success, “Blue and White” campaigns in support of Israel. The time has come for Jews everywhere to buy Blue and White, purchasing Israeli products and building a phalanx to protect the economic and national interests of the only Jewish state on the globe.
Let us rouse ourselves and sound the shofar to action, showing our enemies that we can and will protect ourselves and build our future with full confidence and trust in our Jewish destiny.
*{Editor’s Note: Dr. Birnbaum’s memoir, “Turning Obstacles Into Stepping-Stones,” is now in its second printing and can be acquired by contacting [email protected])