Knesset report: BDS movement has no impact on economy

[oberliner]

The global movement to boycott the Israeli economy is having no discernible impact even though Israel’s export-dependent economy is vulnerable, the Knesset Research and Information Center said in a report released on Wednesday.

The report noted that the boycott comprised several components, including the long-standing boycott by the Arab League and efforts by the European Union to dent the customs exemptions and other benefits of the free-trade agreement with Israel to the West Bank settlements.

But the report, which the Knesset research body prepared at the behest of Finance Committee chairman Nissan Slomiansky, focused on the global boycott, sanctions and divestment (BDS) movement, which coalesced in 2005 and has had its strongest influence in Europe.

The research center found that Israel’s merchandise exports to the European Union had nearly doubled since 2005. In the decade before, they averaged $7.8 billion annually, and in the nine years that followed they averaged $15.6 billion, despite a sharp drop in 2009 due to the world financial crisis.


http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.636172

[Mosby]

1. no real surprise...

99.9999% of the world's population has probably never heard of the BDS movement.

Hell most of my Jewish friends have never heard of it.

[procon]

2. This conjecture is somewhat misleading

because this report only covers data ending in 2013, the most current figures available. There is no data yet available for 2014, which will represent a more accurate impact of the rising global BDS movements following the tragedy in Gaza.

[oberliner]

4. Covers the period 2005-2013

I'd be interested to see 2014 stats as well when they become available.

[grossproffit]

3. Despite Gaza war, visitor numbers to Israel fell only 1% in 2014

Despite Gaza war, visitor numbers to Israel fell only 1% in 2014

"The number of foreign visitors who spent at least one night in Israel declined by just 1% last year despite the downturn following the summer war against Hamas and its allies in the Gaza Strip.

The year began with tourist traffic well higher than in 2013, and despite the meltdown when the 50-day war commenced on July 8, the number of foreign visitors was off only 7% compared to 2013 when day visitors are included, the Tourism Ministry said.

[link:http://www.democraticunderground.com/113491745|

[procon]

5. Your conjecture is flawed.

It seems unlikely that any tourists who plan a visit Israel would also be actively supporting any boycotts against Israel. Trying to insert this data as if it represents a detrimental point against the international BDS movement is a bit transparent, yeah?

[oberliner]

6. The international BDS movement doesn't try to discourage tourism to Israel?

Are you sure about that?

[procon]

7. Please don't reinvent my words

There is nothing amiss with my vocabulary, and the context was well defined so there was no reason to take this track. Its difficult to engage in any meaningful debate with someone who's focused on low level obfuscation rather that advancing the discussion.

BTAIM, to reply in a civil manner, yes, I would expect that any organized BDS group would probably frown on it's members vacationing in Israel, as they rightfully should. I posited that someone who would visit Israel would not likely be boycotting Israel at the same time because I cannot imagine a realistic scenario that would merge two such divergent actions.

[oberliner]

8. So the international BDS movement does discourage tourism to Israel?

So the fact that tourism is virtually unchanged, in spite of the dangers of war, is actually relevant.

That is to say, most people who were planning to travel to Israel were not discouraged to do so in spite of the efforts of the international BDS movement.

[King_David]

9. Yes , I think you have got that right nt

[procon]

10. Logic 101 = Fail.

I guess you ran out of gas, eh? Seriously, do they not teach logic in school any more?

[oberliner]

11. Not sure then what you were trying to say

It seemed like you were saying that tourism numbers were not relevant to the efficacy of the BDS movement, but clearly I misunderstood, and you were trying to communicate something different. Can you explicate what that was?