Kenyans call for support for BDS as Israel attacks on Gaza continue 

Civil rights groups in the Kenyan city of Mombasa have called for the boycott of all Israeli products while protesting in solidarity with Palestinians facing Israeli terror on a daily basis.

Since Israel’s bombing campaign began on 10 May, at least 230 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip, including 65 children. More than 1,700 others have been wounded. In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces have killed at least 13 Palestinians.

Protestors gathered at Kenya’s historical birthplace and largest memorial park, Uhuru Gardens, to chant ‘Viva Palestine Viva’ and ‘Free Palestine’ and urged Kenyans to boycott Israeli goods and stand in solidarity with other nations to oppose the violence against Palestinians.

Inspired by the South African anti-apartheid struggle and the US civil rights movement, the Boycott, Sanctions, Divestment (BDS) movement was launched in 2005 by Palestinian grassroots activists as a means to face the occupation in a nonviolent and effective manner.

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“We are standing in solidarity with Palestine. The United Nations (UN) body and many other human rights watch groups are quiet, the whole world is dumb as Palestine bleeds,” Francis Auma, Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri) Rapid response officer, told the Nation Africa.

“As human rights activists, we know that Israel is conducting mass killings, which is wrong,” Francis condemned.

He also noted the East African country’s support for Israel as police fired tear gas canisters at protesters.

Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the UN Security Council, Amb Martin Kimani, on Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire amid Israel’s escalating attacks against Palestine, noting the violence is reversing any progress towards permanent and secure peace.

“To give peace and dialogue a chance, Kenya is opposed to illegal settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. It is important that the agreed status quo on Jerusalem be respected,” he added.