Ofer Neiman on Israeli opposition to silencing of Palestinian voices
Channel: Mike Cushman
Date: 2022-06-17

Ofer Neiman. an Israeli Jewish BDS activist speaking at a Jewish Voice for Labour members's meeting described Israel's attempt to sabotage Palestine solidarity efforts and protect the apartheid status quo.

Israel fears accountability, in particular the BDS campaign and the legal proceedings in the ICC (The Hague).

Palestinians bear the brunt of Israeli silencing efforts. Palestinian human rights defenders are abused and detained. Israel has also attempted to label Palestinian NGOs as terrorist group. The EU conveys skepticism but some funding has been suspended.

Israel uses soft and hard power to target groups and activists across the world. The Israeli government collaborates with local groups (such as Stand With Us) and may hire professionals, including law firms or PR firms, for its advocacy and litigation. A key Israeli propaganda project - “Solomon’s sling” aka “concert” - seeks to reshape the perception of Israel in digital media spheres.

Israeli soft power aims at presenting Israel as “cool”, via the “Brand Israel” campaign, with an emphasis on Tel Aviv and pinkwashing (LGBTQ).

Israel’s more aggressive policies against Palestine solidarity work have a lot to do with the rise of the BDS campaign. Israel attempts to promote anti-BDS legislation to stop the movement, and tries to libel and slander human rights activists seeking accountability for Israeli war crimes and apartheid policies.

Prominent human rights groups now refer to Israel’s policies as ‘apartheid'. Israel cannot sideline Amnesty International Human Rights Watch and Btselem.
Palestine solidarity work should also be boosted as a result of the much stronger (and justified) BDS campaign against Russia due to to its war of aggression and genocide in Ukraine.