BOYCOTT, DIVESTMENT, SANCTIONS. A STRUGGLE FOR PALESTINIAN RIGHTS?
Arguments for and against
Martedì 18 Novembre 2014 - Aula 2 - ore 14.15
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The movement for a campaign of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights was initiated by Palestinian civil society in 2005. The campaign has been growing with time and has become a global phenomenon. Supporters of the BDS campaign underline its non-violent and rights-based character and its effectiveness. Voices opposing the BDS campaign range from those questioning its usefulness to those branding it as extremist, one-sided and anti-semitic.
The debate will oppose the views of Stephanie Westbrook, on behalf of BDS-Italia (http://www.bdsitalia.org/), and Giorgio Gomel, on behalf of JCall-Italia (www.jcall.eu).
Originally from the US, Stephanie Westbrook has been living in Italy since 1991. She has a degree in Electronic Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Houston. She has long been involved in struggles for social justice and her articles on the issues have been published by Common Dreams, The Electronic Intifada, Mondoweiss, Nena News, In These Times, Counterpunch and Z Magazine. In 2005, she was among the co-founders of US Citizens for Peace and Justice - Rome. She is active in Italy and internationally in the campaign for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel.
Giorgio Gomel holds a degree from the University of Torino and a Master from Columbia University in New York. He has been for many years Economist and then Director for economic research in the Bank of Italy. He has been a member of several international committees and groups in the area of economic policy, and has published essays in academic journals on topics such as international economic policy coordination, the economies of the Mediterranean and international migrations. He is one of the founders of JCall, an advocacy group bringing together European Jews with the stated aim of promoting Israeli-Palestinian dialogue and a peaceful settlement of the conflict based on the principle of “two states for two peoples”.