By now, you are convinced that boycotting and divesting from Israel is the way to go. You see this movement as a powerful, grassroots way to get the attention of the Israeli government and bring justice to the Palestinian people. Now what?
Do Your Research.
There are many institutions that you can pressure to divest from Israel. Take some time to brainstorm and research different institutions' investment portfolios. The best place to start is with yourself. Do you personally have any investments in Israel? Review the stocks that are part of any mutual fund or company pension fund in which you invest. Then, look to your community and institutions to which you have a personal connection. Check out the following possibilities, and brainstorm more relevant targets:
- University endowments
- Labor unions
- Pension funds (such a state teachers retirement system or city pension fund)
- Municipalities
- Insurance companies
Also consider directly pressuring companies that sell consumer products made in Israel or that invest in Israel. Talk to local stores to get them to de-shelve Israeli products. If the stores are not responsive, you may decide to boycott them to protest their complicity in supporting the Israeli government's oppression of the Palestinians, even indirectly.
Identify Your Targets.
Thoroughly research different institutions' investment portfolios. Although it may not be readily available, public institutions can't hide this information from us. Call your city hall, visit you university's business office, surf the Internet, and do whatever research you can to choose the best target. Use the resources on Global Exchange's website to find out what investments you should be keeping an eye out for.
Make Decisions.
Once you have identified potential targets and have gathered information, you can then decide what to divest from. This decision will depend on the institutions' holdings and your preferences or your group's preferences. Consider divesting from, or boycotting, the following:
