We’ve offered many reports on the BDS movement at some of America’s colleges and universities. Now Alex Vanness of Breitbart reports on the history of this phenomenon.

The BDS Movement’s History of Dishonesty

For many, the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement began in 2005.  This movement calls for the economic, cultural, and academic boycott of Israel.  However, it is much older than 2005.
The movement goes back to the beginning of the State of Israel, when Arab countries boycotted trade with Israel.  The modern BDS movement first came about in 2001, when participants at the United Nations World Conference Against Racism in Durban began labeling Israel as an “apartheid state.”

One of the reactions to South African apartheid was a call for divestment and political isolation of South Africa.  Naturally, after the label was placed onto Israel, divestment became the latest buzzword for Palestinian activists.

Despite numerous officials, including Richard Goldstone – who led a U.N. Human Rights Commission to investigate war crime allegations in Israel – stating “Nothing there [Israel] comes close to the definition of apartheid,” activists continue to make accusations.  The goal is to weaken the State of Israel economically because it is seen as a colonial occupier of Palestine that has established an “apartheid” system, separating Israelis and Palestinians.

The first university to boast a successful divestment campaign was Wayne State University (WSU).  The campaign at WSU began in 2002, when students and groups such as the local chapter of Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER) petitioned to divest from Israel.  Opposition to divestment was successful until April 17, 2003, when the student government voted in a 9-7 decision to adopt a resolution calling for the university to divest from companies that operate businesses in Israel.

Many organizations see WSU’s divestment campaign as “a model“ for other campaigns across the country.  Hundreds of BDS campaigns have popped up on college campuses around the United States.  However, while numerous media reports tout the gaining momentum of the BDS movement, only a small amount have succeeded.