European Jews for a Just Peace supports the principled decision of Ada Colau, Mayor of Barcelona, to suspend Barcelona’s institutional ties with Israeli institutions – including its twinning agreement with Tel Aviv – until the government of Israel respects Palestinian rights.
Israel’s denial of Palestinian rights is so pervasive that six respected human rights NGOs have concluded that Israel is practicing the crime of apartheid (https://jfjfp.com/has-israel-created-apartheid/). Boycott is a legitimate, time-honoured method for civil society to protest against a country that commits human rights abuses. Mayor Colau is following in the footsteps of those who boycotted Apartheid South Africa.
EJJP urges all local authorities to follow in the same footsteps.