The Myth: The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS) is focused solely on changing Israeli government policies and doesn’t target Jewish individuals or institutions.

The Facts: BDS regularly targets Jewish individuals, cultural events, and institutions worldwide regardless of their positions on Israeli policies. BDS campaigns have disrupted Jewish cultural festivals in countries like Spain and Scotland that had no connection to Israeli government policies. Jewish students and faculty on college campuses report being excluded from progressive spaces unless they first denounce Israel. BDS co-founder Omar Barghouti has explicitly stated opposition to Israel’s existence as a Jewish state “in any part of Palestine,” revealing the movement’s goal is not policy change but elimination of Jewish self-determination. Even Israeli peace activists, Arab-Jewish collaborative projects, and Israeli academic institutions critical of government policies face BDS targeting, demonstrating that even those working for Palestinian rights are not exempt if they are Israeli or support Israel’s existence.