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Omar Barghouti: 53 Countries Officially Call for Military Embargo on Israel

Omar Barghouti: 53 Countries Officially Call for Military Embargo on Israel

Leaders13-04-2025
In an interview with Al-Jazeera Documentary, Founder of the Boycott and Divestment Movement (BDS), Omar Barghouti, talks about the significance of boycotting Israel-related products and institutions. Military Embargo
Barghouti stated that two years ago, there were no countries supporting the military embargo on Israel, not even South Africa.
However, 'Today, we have 53 countries that officially called for the military embargo on Israel,' Barghouti said.
The founder also noted that Intel Corporation was forced by BDS to quit a $25 billion project near Tel Aviv, stating that 'BDS played a key role in that.'
Barghouti mentioned that McDonald's is suffering tremendously because of the BDS campaign. Universities Boycott
As for universities, he said that two years ago there was only one university that cut relations with Israel, and it was the University of Johannesburg (JU) in South Africa.
'Today, we have tens of university that have either cut relations or are in the process of divesting or cutting academic ties with Israeli universities,' he added. Cultural Boycott
In the cultural sphere, Barghouti highlighted that approximately 7,000 publishers and writers have joined the cultural boycott of Israel.
'Are you a student or an academic or a nurse, or an engineer, or a social activist? it really depends on where you are, because BDS is not just about products boycott, it is that obviously, but it is also about divestment which requires more power,' he said.
In addition, Barghouti highlighted the importance of academic, cultural, and sports boycott. Collective Action
'There are many aspects of it that almost anyone can participate in, but the most important thing about BDS is that it is a collective action,' Barghouti said.
Barghouti also indicated that each individual can boycott like 100 companies at the supermarket, but it does not lead to anything.
'It is the collective action against a few companies that can lead to a real impact, so that is very important,' he said.
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