The boycott campaign has been started with the sole intention of discouraging trade with companies , which are part of West Bank settlements.
The sale of products manufactured in the occupied West bank , is considered to be illegal, as per the new law passed by Palestine.
On Monday,the new law has also been signed by the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas.According to the law, the offenders would have to face a fine of $14,000 , and a jail-term of five years.
Hassan al-Awri, the legal adviser of Abbas, said “There’s an international consensus that the settlements are illegal and therefore it is unacceptable to support them,”
The annual goods sale by settlement companies of Israel, is estimated to be around $500 million, according to Palestinian officials.
Six months back,the Palestinian government had called on for boycott of Israeli products being sold at major supermarkets. The ban, however has been finally implemented with the new law passed.
The products meant to be avoided were marked as “Produce of the West Bank”. However, the voluntary group of Defra has asked for more specific labeling, such as “Israeli settlement produce”.
The banned products of West bank settlements include Fruit, cosmetics,textiles and pharmaceuticals.
[Source:Reuters]
It has taken palestinians this long to impose a ban on products of Israel. Gandhiji used this tool of “SELF RELIANCE” or “SWADESHI MOVEMENT” to oust the british from india. An economic boycott is the only answer to teach imperialist and fascist forces a lesson. Swadeshi Movement was not a brain child of Gandhiji, but was picked from Islam, Islam talks and profounds its followers to lead simple lives free from materialism and want. It is the only religion that talks of conservation,preservation and sharing. Gandhiji took this golden rule and made it as his own and indians used it to thier advantage and literally drove the british and gained independance in a very short span of time. It is very unfortunate that the religion that gave freedom to many countries and lifes, its very own country and countrymen are found wanting of this virtue. We see that palestinians have got so much used to the products of its enemies that some even doubt that an economic boycott would be even welcome ,leave alone accept by palestinians themselves. Day in and day out we get to see pictures of palestinian kids,infants,children,women being maimed ,maulled and killed by Hawkish Israel, followed by a call to boycott all those products and companies that support and aid israel. But the question is “IS ANYONE LISTENING OR ACTING”. Are the calls for these bocotts even being heeded. Everyone seems to agree that an economic boycott is the only answer but NO ONE seems to take the first step in this direction. We get to see the products of our enemies on our supermarket shelves, Our subconcious mind seems to tell us that this is the very company supporting the killing indirectly ,But we turn a blind eye and still seem to select that very product .Everyone seems to think that the other man has to act ,me boycotting alone is not enough.
Unless and untill a total boycott is called for by the whole community, then ony can we get to give sleepless nights to imperialist forces.
This is only possible if we follow the Quran and Sunnah. If Muslims become like what Allah wants us to become in the mould of our Prophet,Sahabah and Righteous men, Then Who is there bold enough to stand in front of us.
Baithul Maqsad,Masjid Aqsa and Palestine will be handed to us on a silver platter. We dont even need to ask for it. Muslims should not foget how Umar(r.a) and Salahudden Ayubi were handed the keys to this places by the very people who had taken it from us. Looking at the present day Muslims of palestine and elsewhere , it seems the road to Baithul Maqsad,Masjid Aqsa and Palestine is still a long way ahead. Unless we become or atleast make an effort to become True Muslims by Name and Deeds.