BDS (no, not BDSM) is an acronym used by Palestine Solidarity activists to refer to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctioning of the State of Israel — hence the B, D and S — until it complies with international law.

This means withdrawing from territories illegally occupied in 1967, implementing U.N. resolution 194 allowing Palestinian refugees to return and recognizing the rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality. This movement was inspired by the South African Anti-Apartheid Movement which created pressure that later resulted in the end of the Apartheid regime there.

BDS was called for in 2005 by Palestinian civil society and was endorsed by an overwhelming number of Palestinian organizations spanning from trade unions to LGBTQA activists and interfaith groups.

Solidarity campaigns and international human rights groups were quick to action, helping strategize various boycott campaigns at supermarkets, prisons, school and university campuses, churches and local government.

This movement has caused direct foreign investment to drop by 46 percent in 2014, with many companies and universities cutting or attempting to cut ties with Israeli branches and subsidiaries.

Many popular figures from a multitude of fields such as art (Lauryn Hill, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd) academics (Noam Chomsky) and scientists (Stephen Hawking) have boycotted or severed ties with Israel in support of the boycott.

Moreover, various Jewish religious groups and organizations such as Jewish Voice for Peace also support this movement reflecting a very diverse range of support for this movement.

BDS is growing faster by the day, and support for justice for Palestinians is stronger than ever.

At Guilford, BDS has been endorsed by The Guilfordian, and many professors at our school support it. As a club, Students for Justice in Palestine endorses BDS and has had a successful campaign to remove Sabra hummus products from the grill.

If you are interested in learning more about BDS and joining SJP, please come to our meetings every Friday at 1:00 p.m. in the Multicultural Education Department.