Q&A: Desecration of the Sabbath
Desecration of the Sabbath
Question
As a resident of Yeruham, I wanted to ask you about Phoenicia, which according to the news is going to be shut down because the Haredim stopped using its products. A Haredi person explained to me that in his view this is not defined as a boycott; rather, any normal person does not support what contradicts his beliefs. But on the other hand, [if this is true], it could endanger the livelihood of families in the periphery who may not necessarily find another source of income.
I would also be glad to know what you think about BDS.
Thank you very much.
Answer
I’m not familiar with the Phoenicia matter, but I don’t see anything wrong with a consumer boycott, including BDS. I think BDS is evil and fundamentally mistaken, but not because they use a consumer boycott; rather, because they are wrong and misleading. Here too, if the boycott is unjustified, then one should not join it. But if it is justified, there is nothing wrong with it merely because it is a consumer boycott.