Boycott of Israel garners momentum in the West

The overwhelming popular solidarity movements of the Palestinian cause in the United States, Europe and some African countries have contributed to strengthening the boycott of Israel campaign which witnessed unprecedented momentum since the start of Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip.

Tens of thousands of protesters marched across several American and European cities in solidarity with the Palestinian people and to condemn the Israeli aggression against women, children and civilians.

Sources in the boycott committee in the United States told Al-Araby Al-Yawm news agency that nearly 30 marches and sit-ins have been organised in North America.

In Chicago, Palestinian political activist Dr Sinan Sheqdih said the boycott campaign was growing and that it disturbs the Israeli economy.

In London and Hamburg, mass demonstrations saw more than 20,000 demonstrators protest against the BBC’s bias coverage of the events in Gaza.

Meanwhile, the workers’ unions in Britain and the US and even some churches joined the boycott campaign. Dozens of churches in the United States designated Sunday prayers for the Palestinian victims who fell during the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.

Reports quoted Priest Wagner, a leader of the Alliance to Boycott Israel, as saying that praying alone is not enough, but there should be calls to boycott Israel on the ground as a measure to defeat the occupation.

In New York City three ports joined a campaign to prevent Israeli ships from bringing their goods into the country allocating August 13 to 16 to boycott Israeli ships and prevent them from unloading their shipments, calling on supporters of Palestine to join them.