BDS Threatens Palestinians

, Malcolm A. Kline, 1 Comment

Way back in the Big Band Era, even before my time, the Mills Brothers did a song called “You always hurt the one you love.” The political Left in America should resurrect it and make it their theme song.

Currently, they are trying to get anyone with capital to invest, including colleges and universities, to “Boycott, Divest and Sanction” Israel for its alleged crimes against Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. It apparently never occurred to them that, if they are successful, they will actually harm the Palestinians they claim their hearts bleed for.

“In the Barkan Industrial Area alone, there are over 140 factories in which approximately 7,000 workers are employed, of whom about 3,500 are Arab residents of Judea and Samaria,” according to the Shomron Regional Council in Barkan, Israel. “Palestinians employed in the Palestinian economy earn an average of 2,500 NIS [New Israeli Shekel, Israel’s currency] a month without any pension, social benefits or employees’ rights.”

“In comparison, those who are employed in Israeli industry earn Israeli wages and enjoy the full protection of Israeli labor law: Employers are obligated to pay a minimum wage of about 4,825 NIC. In addition, all employees receive full social benefits: An 8-hour workday, convalescence pay, pension and fully paid leave on both Moslem and Jewish holidays.”