Boycotting is an age-old movement that has been used across the world for hundreds of years by various groups of people to fight for political freedom. Both a peaceful and effective form of protest, boycotting sends across a clear message from consumers and provokes change from large-scale corporations that commit harmful actions or participate in detrimental campaigns.
Specifically within the past several months, boycotting has been closely entwined with the pro-Palestine movement as the world fights for the freedom and safety of Palestinians. It is an accessible form of protest that allows everyday people to show their support for Palestine and make a difference, even with limited resources.
With the boycotting movement’s rise in popularity also comes an awareness about consumption in today’s world. Consumption in itself is a political act; Consumers have a responsibility to understand where the products they buy have been sourced from. Every clothing piece, food product, technology item and accessory we utilize is owned, designed, manufactured and sold by people who may use the money we hand them for purposes that contradict our beliefs and values. For example, Huda Beauty, a makeup brand vocalizing their support for Palestine, is sold in Sephora, a makeup store known for stocking and supporting brands that profit off of Israel’s occupation. Those who purchase Huda Beauty to support Palestine may end up indirectly supporting Israel if they make the purchase in a Sephora store or website. So, staying educated about the investments made by certain brands will ensure that your money is used for good.
The Boycott, Divest, Sanctions (BDS) is a movement directing the public’s boycotting in support of Palestine. The organization researches and exposes corporations and establishments that are complicit in the ongoing genocide in Palestine. They encourage the public to refrain from supporting any company operating in land occupied by Israel, funding/supporting Israeli military, or publicly stating their support with Israel. For instance, the boycotting of McDonald’s began after McDonalds’ branches operating in Israel announced they would offer free meals to Israeli military currently fighting to occupy Palestine. This announcement spread quickly to many pro-Palestine consumers, who stopped purchasing from McDonald’s. Soon after this boycott began, McDonalds’ global sales decreased significantly in January 2024, for the first time in four years.
This drop in sales is a win for everyone pro-Palestine. It shows that the boycotting effort has results, and the public’s actions have not gone unnoticed. With dropping sales, companies like McDonald’s are forced to address the issues responsible for their loss in revenue, specifically their support in Israel’s occupation. They may have to take action to divest from Israel in order to get off the boycott list and boost their sales.
However, when it comes to boycotting in 2024, unwavering longevity is key. A singular drop in sales during the first month of the year is often not enough to push these large companies to make major changes in their investments. Consistent boycotting will result in longer and larger declines in sales, building pressure. As long as the public continues to boycott companies supporting Israel, these establishments will feel the continuous pressure and eventually divest from Israel, bringing Palestine closer to freedom.