The boycott was meant to isolate Israeli settlements - it is not working

 Decades of boycotts have generated headlines but failed to change Israel, while inspiring Americans to strengthen economic ties with Judea and Samaria.

For more than two decades, various organizations have sought to change Israeli policy through boycotts targeting products, companies, academic institutions, and Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria. Now, government sanctions are also being added to the equation, such as those announced by the United Kingdom.

One basic point must be made: no boycott can change history or undermine the connection between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel.

But after decades of boycotts, it is worth asking: Has the boycott achieved its goal?

The answer is no.

The policies of successive Israeli governments have not changed as a result of boycotts. And over the past 25 years, hundreds of companies and businesses have been established in Judea and Samaria, alongside new industrial zones and factories.

a)     In 2018, Airbnb announced that it would remove approximately 200 properties in Judea and Samaria from its platform. Ironically, however, the decision exposed tens of millions of tourists around the world to a simple fact: there are Airbnb properties in the biblical heartland, and people can visit.

Less than six months later, Airbnb reversed its decision. The boycott generated headlines, but it did not change reality.

b)     The story of Ben & Jerry’s is also well known. In 2021, the company announced that it would not renew the sale of its products in what it called the “Occupied Palestinian Territory,” while emphasizing that it was not leaving Israel.

Following a prolonged campaign, Unilever, sold its Israeli business to its Israeli licensee. As a result, Ben & Jerry’s products continued to be sold in Israel, including in Judea and Samaria.

c)     The pressure created against Sodastream resulted in the company relocating to the Negev and hundreds of Palestinians lost their jobs but the company continues to grow

In each case the boycott created a media storm, but it did not change Israeli policy.

But here is where things get interesting: the boycott does have an impact. For better, too.

In the United States, it has generated a backlash. Thirty-seven states have already adopted laws or other measures against BDS, including restrictions on public contracts or investments involving companies that participate in boycotts against Israel.

And last week, on September 3, the US House of Representatives passed the Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act by a vote of 237-169. The bill seeks to restrict certain federal funding to academic institutions participating in boycotts against Israel. The legislation still requires Senate approval.

And this impact is reaching Judea and Samaria as well. For example, American businesspeople have approached American Friends of Judea and Samaria seeking investment opportunities in Judea and Samaria, both as a response to British boycott efforts and because they believe that investing in the biblical heartland can bring prosperity to their businesses in America.

This is how we can turn the boycott into something that has an impact, for better. And this impact is reaching Judea and Samaria as well. For example, American businesspeople have approached American Friends of Judea and Samaria seeking investment opportunities in Judea and Samaria, both as a response to British boycott efforts and because they believe that investing in the biblical heartland can bring prosperity to their businesses in America.

This is how we can turn the boycott into something that has an impact, for the better.