Episode 28: Ben & Jerry’s, Amnesty International, and the Debate Over Boycotting Israel
Description
Every week, it seems, there is another controversy related to efforts to boycott Israel and its policies vis-a-vis the Palestinians. When Ben & Jerry’s announced last year that it would cease selling its products in the Occupied Territories, it touched off a brouhaha that lasted months. Rabbi Maurice Harris, Reconstructing Judaism’s lead staff member on Israel affairs, explains why this story garnered such attention and what he thinks it all means. He also delves into a recent Amnesty International report accusing Israel of Apartheid and narrates Reconstructing Judaism's response, both in terms of process and substance. While analyzing the prospects for a two-state solution, he speaks about his own complex feelings on the conflict, considering his long-standing relationships with Palestinian families and his deep attachment to his own Israeli family. He also discusses the importance of humility and respect when engaging in conversations about Israel-Palestine.
Theme song, “Ilu Finu” by Rabbi Miriam Margles. Her album This is the Day is available for purchase at CDBaby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/miriammarglesandthehadarensemb
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This podcast is produced by Reconstructing Judaism. Visit us at ReconstructingJudaism.org.
Special Guest: Rabbi Maurice Harris.
Links:
- Read the Evolve essay, "Who, If Anyone, Should be Boycotted? The Ben and Jerry’s Controversy"
- How the Jewish world is responding to Ben & Jerry’s decision to exit Israeli settlements
- Read Reconstructing Judaism's full statement responding to Amnesty International’s report on Israel and the charge of apartheid
- Amnesty International's full report
- Amnesty's Israel chief criticizes group's report accusing Israel of apartheid
- We’re Ben and Jerry. Men of Ice Cream, Men of Principle
- Amnesty joins rights groups in accusing Israel of apartheid
- Chinese Itzik Comes to Haifa
- China is Commiting Genocide Against the Uiyhurs, America Jews Must Act Now
- Rabbi Maurice Harris' books
- Rabbi Maurice Harris' blog
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