BDS will have no effect on Israel
■ What effect do the members of the Dáil think a vote for BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) of goods produced in Judea and Samaria will have on Israel? Will it hurt Israel’s economy? No. Will it persuade Israel to change its policies vis-a-vis the Palestinians? No. Will it make the members of the Dáil feel good about themselves? Probably.
The real effect, if this were enacted, could be unemployment for Palestinians who depend on Israeli companies for jobs because the Palestinian Authority (PA) – despite billions in international aid funds – has failed dismally to create economic opportunities within Area A, which is solely under its administrative control. It prefers to spend this money on stipends for convicted terrorists and the families of terrorists killed in action.
All Israel’s offers to help develop the economy in Area A have been rejected.
Thousands of Palestinians rely on businesses in Israel and within Area C for employment. But they are not treated as cheap labour: under Israeli law they receive exactly the same salaries, health benefits, etc, as their Israeli colleagues. On average, their income is four times that which they would receive if working for a company in the PA-administered Area A, and these higher salaries have a knock-on effect on their communities.
They do suffer the inconvenience of security checks when they pass from Area A into Israel or Area C because of the constant threat of terrorism, but we all have to put up with these at airports, etc, for the self-same reason. I had to go through an airport-style check when I went to see Paul Simon last night.
The decision to implement – probably selectively – BDS on products from Judea and Samaria will have absolutely no effect on Israel’s economy or politics.
But let the members of the Dáil go ahead and enjoy their five minutes of moral superiority. Don’t worry about those who might suffer because of it. That won’t affect the Irish. Someone else will pick up the pieces.
Clive Hyman Salford, England