Ben & Jerry’s, Amnesty International, and the Debate Over Boycotting Israel

Episode 28 · February 15th, 2022 · 1 hr 11 mins

About this Episode

Every week, it seems, there is another controversy related to efforts to boycott Israel and its policies vis-a-vis the Palestinians. When Ben & Jerry’s announced last year that it would cease selling its products in the Occupied Territories, it touched off a brouhaha that lasted months. Rabbi Maurice Harris, Reconstructing Judaism’s lead staff member on Israel affairs, explains why this story garnered such attention and what he thinks it all means. He also delves into a recent Amnesty International report accusing Israel of Apartheid and narrates Reconstructing Judaism's response, both in terms of process and substance. While analyzing the prospects for a two-state solution, he speaks about his own complex feelings on the conflict, considering his long-standing relationships with Palestinian families and his deep attachment to his own Israeli family. He also discusses the importance of humility and respect when engaging in conversations about Israel-Palestine.

Theme song, “Ilu Finu” by Rabbi Miriam Margles. Her album This is the Day is available for purchase at CDBaby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/miriammarglesandthehadarensemb

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