WEBINAR: American Jewish Press Association examines the BDS movement

As a means for exerting economic pressure on the State of Israel to change its policies with respect to land captured during the Six-Day War, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement has been steadily increasing. Victories for the BDS movement have included divestment resolutions from both the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church of the USA. Meanwhile, celebrities like Elvis Costello and Roger Waters have criticized popular acts like Paul McCartney, Madonna and Lady Gaga for appearing in Israel. Petitions circulating in the European Union are calling for sanctions against Israel as a means of restarting the stalled peace process. In Israel, there is a growing awareness of the impact of the BDS movement. The year's first webinar sponsored by the American Jewish Press Association will examine the BDS movement. Our three panelists – two from Israel – will talk about BDS from opposite perspectives and through a historical lens. Please make plans to join us on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (11:00 a.m. Pacific) as we welcome anti-BDS activist Elana Yael Heideman, Ph.D., of the Israel Forever Foundation; Tali Ruskin, an American with a background in Zionism, who has been active in pro-Palestinian organizations and stands behind the BDS movement; and Shuki Friedman, Ph.D., of the Israel Democracy Institute's Center for Nation, Religion and State, who will put the BDS movement in a historical context.