RAMALLAH: A growing movement in the occupied West Bank encourages Palestinians to boycott Israeli products, promoting local alternatives. The campaign, marked by slogans like “By us, for us,” aims to highlight Palestinian-made products and has gained traction in recent weeks.
The campaign has affected sales of Israeli products at a major West Bank supermarket chain, where a 30 percent drop has been observed since the outbreak of the war in Gaza on October 7. The conflict has led to increased violence in the West Bank, with over 300 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces and settlers.
The call to boycott Israeli goods aligns with the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which advocates for political and economic actions against Israel over its treatment of Palestinians. The movement, inspired by South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle, has gained global momentum with branches in 40 countries.
While supporters view the campaign as a non-violent way to bring about change, critics argue that a complete boycott is impractical, especially for businesses relying on Israeli-made goods.
