Independent Jewish Voices (IJV), a Canadian NGO, reportedly joined the BDS (boycotts, divestment and sanctions) movement against Israel earlier this month. A central element of the “Durban Strategy,” BDS seeks to internationally isolate Israel as a “racist” and “apartheid” state.

IJV was active in their objection to the Canadian boycott of the Durban II conference. IJV called the boycott of the conference an “opportunistic attempt to label any criticism of Israel as anti-Semitism”, claiming that “[a]nti-Semitism cannot be ended by…the subjugation of another people” and accusing the Israeli government of “suppressi[ng]…democracy and human rights”.

IJV also argued that “[t]here is certainly nothing anti-Semitic in the DDPA” and declared their “unconditional[] endorse[ment]” of Durban II.

Perhaps it should come as no surprise then that IJV’s support of Durban II is followed by increased embracing of the Durban Strategy – by joining the BDS movement.