Edinburgh Council’s vote in favour of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel will herald a new era of Scottish solidarity with Palestinians. The proposal, put forward by Green councillor Ben Parker, calls upon the Scottish government to ensure that local authorities can legally adopt BDS policies. Companies arming Israel’s genocide in Gaza will be cut off for support.
Ian Macwhirter has already asserted that “Edinburgh’s Israel boycott is empty gesture politics.” He claims that Benjamin Netanyahu will hardly notice the boycott of Israel. To this, I ask the reader to remind themselves of Westminster’s recognition of Palestine. A merely symbolic act, with purely performative incentives. At least Edinburgh’s actions have some teeth.
The UK, Canada, Australia and France recently cemented their recognition of the state of Palestine, aiming to protect the viability of the two-state solution. You would hope that it held some bearing, considering how supposedly influential these states are. However, no one is talking about what happens next. Recognition and no pressure equate to recognition and no consequences.
On the other hand, Scotland, not even a sovereign state, has a foot in the door of support for Palestinians. Edinburgh’s vote in favour of BDS actions are not just words, they have material consequences. Large Scottish companies complicit in Israel’s actions, such as Baillie Gifford and Castle Precision Engineering, may find themselves under scrutiny.
BDS action has been in the works since the Scottish government rejected the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) bill last year. It intended to ban public bodies from carrying out BDS work. This not only demonstrates Scotland’s reluctance to comply with the UK’s silencing of pro-Palestinian activism but also underscores BDS’s ability to have a significant impact.
The nature of Scotland’s union with the UK means it has less de jure leverage on the international stage, but in fact, it holds greater de facto boldness. The country cannot recall ambassadors, impose an arms embargo or vote against the UN at the General Assembly. However, this has certainly encouraged more tangible methods in their strive for peace in the Middle East.
Last year, Scottish ministers were criticised for meeting with Israeli ambassadors. It risked normalising relations between the Israeli and Scottish governments, and misleadingly implied that peace could be gained through solely dialogue and talks. Certainly, much more progress has been made in their diplomatic relations with Israel since then, as Scotland moves towards proactive resistance.
Edinburgh’s approach is not going to topple Netanyahu’s government overnight. But its tangible and substantive approach is more effective than symbolism. This trumps the UK’s hollow and performative move to recognise Palestine. Scotland has shown that even without their sovereignty, effective results can be achieved with real pressure. The UK should take note.
“Edinburgh Council building – geograph.org.uk – 1315978” by kim traynor is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
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Edinburgh Council and the BDS Movement: Meanignful Change or Performative Activism?
Edinburgh Council’s vote in favour of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel will herald a new era of Scottish solidarity with Palestinians. The proposal, put forward by Green councillor Ben Parker, calls upon the Scottish government to ensure that local authorities can legally adopt BDS policies. Companies arming Israel’s genocide in Gaza will be cut off for support.
Ian Macwhirter has already asserted that “Edinburgh’s Israel boycott is empty gesture politics.” He claims that Benjamin Netanyahu will hardly notice the boycott of Israel. To this, I ask the reader to remind themselves of Westminster’s recognition of Palestine. A merely symbolic act, with purely performative incentives. At least Edinburgh’s actions have some teeth.
The UK, Canada, Australia and France recently cemented their recognition of the state of Palestine, aiming to protect the viability of the two-state solution. You would hope that it held some bearing, considering how supposedly influential these states are. However, no one is talking about what happens next. Recognition and no pressure equate to recognition and no consequences.
On the other hand, Scotland, not even a sovereign state, has a foot in the door of support for Palestinians. Edinburgh’s vote in favour of BDS actions are not just words, they have material consequences. Large Scottish companies complicit in Israel’s actions, such as Baillie Gifford and Castle Precision Engineering, may find themselves under scrutiny.
BDS action has been in the works since the Scottish government rejected the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) bill last year. It intended to ban public bodies from carrying out BDS work. This not only demonstrates Scotland’s reluctance to comply with the UK’s silencing of pro-Palestinian activism but also underscores BDS’s ability to have a significant impact.
The nature of Scotland’s union with the UK means it has less de jure leverage on the international stage, but in fact, it holds greater de facto boldness. The country cannot recall ambassadors, impose an arms embargo or vote against the UN at the General Assembly. However, this has certainly encouraged more tangible methods in their strive for peace in the Middle East.
Last year, Scottish ministers were criticised for meeting with Israeli ambassadors. It risked normalising relations between the Israeli and Scottish governments, and misleadingly implied that peace could be gained through solely dialogue and talks. Certainly, much more progress has been made in their diplomatic relations with Israel since then, as Scotland moves towards proactive resistance.
Edinburgh’s approach is not going to topple Netanyahu’s government overnight. But its tangible and substantive approach is more effective than symbolism. This trumps the UK’s hollow and performative move to recognise Palestine. Scotland has shown that even without their sovereignty, effective results can be achieved with real pressure. The UK should take note.
“Edinburgh Council building – geograph.org.uk – 1315978” by kim traynor is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
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