The NGOs involved in the 2001 Durban conference articulated the strategy of using boycotts and divestment campaigns to de-legitimize Israel. Many of the NGOs using the rhetoric of human rights and humanitarian aid have pursued different forms of boycotts. In this process, their reports on Israel policy are increasingly aimed at justifying the individual boycotts that support the wider effort. For example, HRW's allegations regarding Israeli military activities in Gaza (November 2004) provided the springboard for subsequent participation in the boycott campaign focusing on the Caterpillar Corporation. Amnesty International has also used its public relations and political organization to press Caterpillar to end sales to Israel . In Britain, many of the major NGOs, such as "Christian Aid" and "War on Want" contributed directly and indirectly in creating the foundation used in the attempt to justify the academic boycott. And the numerous Palestinian NGOs that are often financed by European governments and church groups provided the language and faulty rationales that propelled the AUT boycott and the church divestment campaigns. This section focuses on sources linking the NGO network to the anti-Israel boycott strategy.

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(Last Updated December 22, 2006)