BDS and Trade Unions
Political Influence, Extremism Concerns, and Institutional Impact
Introduction
When unions, originally created to defend workers’ rights and improve workplace conditions, are taken over by BDS activists, they are abandoning their core mission and instead become vehicles for divisive political agendas—damaging their unity, credibility, and ability to serve their members.
What Is BDS?
The Arab League’s anti-normalization policy began in 1945 and expanded after Israel’s founding in 1948. Its purpose was to isolate Israel politically, economically, and culturally by preventing Arab states and citizens from engaging with Israel in any way. This included comprehensive boycotts and legal penalties for normalization, and was reaffirmed in the 1967 Khartoum Declaration’s “Three Nos”: no peace, no recognition, no negotiations with Israel. These policies aimed to delegitimize Israel and block its acceptance in the region.
The BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement, launched in 2005 and inspired by the 2001 Durban Festival of hate, imports this anti-normalization strategy to the West. The movement presents itself as a grassroots campaign, but in reality they are ‘Terrorists in suits’. Their leadership are run by HMS and PFLP, designated terrorist organizations. BDS receives funding from various sources, including European governments, NGOs, and the church.
Many governments, analysts, and civil society groups argue that BDS’s core demands implicitly question the legitimacy of Israel’s existence and employ tactics similar to political warfare rather than traditional labour or human-rights advocacy. This includes reframing antisemitism as political critique and isolating organisations based on geopolitical stances. (No Tolerance for Antisemitism)
liations and operational overlaps with extremist entities, leading to classification as extremist or “suspected extremist” by some intelligence agencies. (Foundation for Defense of Democracies)
How BDS Hijacks Labor Unions
Over the past decade, the BDS movement has aggressively targeted labor unions around the world, urging them to boycott Israel in the name of “solidarity” with Palestinian workers. While these campaigns are promoted as advancing justice, the reality is far more troubling: when unions divert their focus from protecting workers’ rights to pursuing an anti-Israel agenda, everyone loses.
Reclaiming Unions for Workers, Not Politics
Unions should return to their founding purpose: fighting for better pay, safer workplaces, and dignity for all workers.
If you notice your union being steered by BDS activists or political agendas that distract from workers’ rights, the first step is to get informed and connect with others who share your concerns.
Attend meetings, speak up, and encourage fellow members to participate—many controversial motions pass simply because most people stay silent.
Propose resolutions that refocus the union on workplace issues and inclusivity, making it clear that the union’s primary responsibility is to support its members—not to take sides in international conflicts or attempt to solve global crises.
Build coalitions with colleagues who value unity and practical solidarity. By staying engaged and proactive, you can help return your union to its true mission—supporting workers, not advancing divisive political agendas.
