Israel releases report on links between BDS and militants

The Israeli government on Sunday released a report claiming to reveal close links between the Palestinian-led boycott movement against Israel and militant groups.

Israel’s Strategic Affairs Ministry, which leads the country’s efforts against the boycott movement, said it uncovered extensive connections between pro-boycott groups and activists affiliated with Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

The BDS movement, which gets its name from its calls for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel, dismissed the report as “wildly fabricated.”

The 80-page report claims that several dozen current or former members of the groups, both designated terrorist organizations by the U.S., European Union and Israel, are involved in BDS activity through Palestinian and international NGOs.

“We have always seen indications of connections between BDS groups and designated terrorist organizations,” said Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan. “What we discovered surprised even us.”

But many of the alleged ties were vague or based on acts committed years ago. At least two people on the list have received international recognitions for their human rights work. Another is a female Palestinian lawmaker whom Israel has held in detention for over a year without charge.

The BDS movement has grown in popularity overseas in recent years, in large part because of its nonviolent message. It declined to comment on the allegations in the Israeli report.

“This wildly fabricated and recycled propaganda report from the far-right Israeli government cannot be dignified with any response,” it said.