The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel — closely connected to Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) — has called on “conscientious people, organizations, and unions around the world” not to engage with Standing Together, describing it as an “Israeli normalization outfit that seeks to distract from and whitewash Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.”

How ridiculous! This is divisive and sectarian posturing, disguised as anti-colonialist radicalism. Unless challenged, it can easily impede the broadening and deepening of the movement/coalition in the U.S. for a just peace in this longstanding conflict and struggle. Actually, STA is an organization of Arabs and Israelis, heavily on the young side, who in words and deeds work for peace, full equality and national rights for the Palestinian people, and mutual security for both peoples. Not many mix justice and unity into an organic whole as well as ST. Currently, ST is defending aid workers and shipments into Gaza from Israeli right wing extremists.