Derry members of Jewish Voice for Just Peace call on councillors to hand in HP printers

Becca Bor, in a statement issued in conjunction with her Jewish Voice for Just Peace colleagues, stated: “We commended the Derry City and Strabane District Council for passing a resolution to Boycott, Divest and Sanction the State of Israel in an attempt to pressure Israel to stop its apartheid regime.”

Local members are supporting the Derry Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) call on councillors to return their HP printers and for the council to cease procuring HP products.

“We support the protest outside the council meeting in the Guildhall on November 24 and the week of events raising awareness and encouraging people to join the BDS movement,” stated Ms Bor and her colleagues.

The statement continued: “Since the council passed the resolution to support BDS, there have been a variety of accusations on the council and those supporting the resolution.

“Claims that boycotts are unrealistic, that we should be boycotting everything that has component parts made in Israel, we should boycott other countries too and that BDS is anti-Semitic.

“BDS is a Palestinian led movement to urge international action to pressure Israel to comply with international law, to end the military occupation of Palestinian lands, and to respect the right of return for Palestinian refugees. Inspired by the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, BDS aims to force Israel to end Israeli violation of the human rights of Palestinians.

“As Jewish people, we oppose the cynical deployment of the anti-Semitic label, and the history of the oppression of the Jewish people, to silence those who legitimately criticise Israel. We are Jews who are committed to the movement for Palestinian equality, freedom and justice. We are part of a proud Jewish tradition of fighting oppression and standing up for peace and justice for all.”

Independent Councillor Gary Donnelly has already confirmed he will decommission his HP printer on Thursday.

Meanwhile HP has said: “HP has been strongly committed to socially responsible business practices throughout its 75 year history. It is not our policy to take sides in political disputes between countries or regions. Instead, we focus on making the best products we can to help improve the lives of people around the world.”