Getting weedy with BDS
Image above: Dandelion greens sprout from a concrete wall
As an herbalist and small business owner, I commit to the long journey of learning to be a better steward of the earth, despite and through my many entanglements in ongoing colonial projects.
In my shop and clinical work, this looks like prioritizing exchange with small and medium-scale farms with organic and regenerative stewarding practices. I tend a garden for food, medicine, and connection, and beyond its confines I wildcraft from seasonal abundance to support native biodiversity. I also participate in the global BDS movement.
What is BDS? (from BDS Movement)
Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) is a Palestinian-led movement for freedom, justice and equality. BDS upholds the simple principle that Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as the rest of humanity.
Israel is occupying and colonising Palestinian land, discriminating against Palestinian citizens of Israel and denying Palestinian refugees the right to return to their homes. Inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement, the BDS call urges action to pressure Israel to comply with international law.
BDS is now a vibrant global movement made up of unions, academic associations, churches and grassroots movements across the world. Since its launch in 2005, BDS is having a major impact and is effectively challenging international support for Israeli apartheid and settler-colonialism.
BOYCOTTS involve withdrawing support from Israel's apartheid regime, complicit Israeli sporting, cultural and academic institutions, and from all Israeli and international companies engaged in violations of Palestinian human rights.
DIVESTMENT campaigns urge banks, local councils, churches, pension funds and universities to withdraw investments from the State of Israel and all Israeli and international companies that sustain Israeli apartheid.
SANCTIONS campaigns pressure governments to fulfil their legal obligations to end Israeli apartheid, and not aid or assist its maintenance, by banning business with illegal Israeli settlements, ending military trade and free-trade agreements, as well as suspending Israel's membership in international forums such as UN bodies and FIFA.
Image above: List and logos of boycott targets from @BDSnationalcommittee . Text reads “Consumer boycott targets of the BDS movement: AXA, Puma, Carrefour, Caltex, Siemens, hp, Chevron, RE/MAX, Texaco, AHAVA, Sodastream. Organic boycotts supported by the BDS movement: McDonalds, Dominos Pizza, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Papa John’s Pizza, WiX
Why BDS?
We are approaching 8 months and 75 years of the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians on their ancestral homelands by so-called “Israel” - a genocide funded by our tax dollars and fueled by our consumerism.
Witnessing real-time horrors from the comfort of our homes is breaking us. We need to understand that we are participating in this crisis and so many others, that in fact the foundation of our comfort needs to be broken too. In revealing the inner workings of a bloody global marketplace, BDS requires our discernment and refusal of the ways money is used to determine who lives and who dies.
I see BDS as a way to become “weedy.” There is no classification for what makes a weed other than being unwanted by those maintaining the status quo. Dandelions don’t just survive by spreading seeds; they also grow deep roots that crack concrete and draw nutrients toward the soil surface for more plants to thrive. BDS offers strategic, everyday possibilities to collectively cut ties with “Israel” and get creative with our resources for the times ahead, as we continue to confront and break through patterns of settler colonialism across the world.
Let’s keep going.
Take action:
BDSmovement.net history, actions, and updates
Boycott Mountain Rose Herbs herbal campaign information, updates, and resources for alternative sourcing
Gaza Family Funds is a directory of individuals and families in Gaza that urgently need financial support and media visibility
More writing on Patreon:
Image above: Art by Lane Lloyd (coyotesnout.com) Black and white print of a moon over a field and flowing water. Text reads “If the bombs feel far away press your ear to the ground. The whole earth cries for justice”