Israel/Palestine

azurnoir

(45,850 posts) Fri Jun 26, 2015, 05:36 PM Jun 2015

Israel: Foreign direct investment plunges almost 50% as Boycott Divestment and Sanctions take toll

Israel has lost about a half of its foreign direct investment in 2014 due largely to that summer's Gaza conflict and the growth of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS).

A report, published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), shows that only €5.7bn (£4.1bn, ($6.4bn) was invested into the country in 2014 in comparison with €10.5bn in 2013, a decrease of €4.8bn, or 46%.

Newsweek also reported that Israel's FDI in other countries also decreased by 15%, from €4.2bn in 2013 to €3.5bn last year.

Dr Ronny Manos, one of the report's authors and a researcher in the department of management and economics at the Open University of Israel, told Israeli news website Ynet News that international boycotts against the country for alleged violations of international law were one of the major causes of the decline. The fallout from Israel's Operation Protective Edge in Gaza in the summer of 2014 was also cited.

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/israel-foreign-direct-investment-plunges-almost-50-boycott-divestment-sanctions-take-toll-1507992

25 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Israel: Foreign direct investment plunges almost 50% as Boycott Divestment and Sanctions take toll (Original Post) azurnoir Jun 2015 OP

That's a pretty hefty drop. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jun 2015 #1

NO a rider was put on TAA exluding countries that participated in BDS azurnoir Jun 2015 #2

AS I wrote to a knob head not that long ago, "You can't legislate people to like Israel." R. Daneel Olivaw Jun 2015 #3

From the article ...... Israeli Jun 2015 #4

But we're told BirthRight visits are up so that's something right? azurnoir Jun 2015 #9

You are also being told its not working ............ Israeli Jun 2015 #22

what is interesting is that with all the discussion of who to recruit in the fight against BDS azurnoir Jun 2015 #24

That is because nobody talks about the occupation .... Israeli Jun 2015 #25

Also ...... Israeli Jun 2015 #5

BDS seems to be growing azurnoir Jun 2015 #6

this must not be the only boycott movement 6chars Jun 2015 #7

yet strangely it's up in India, China, and most but not all of the ME :) azurnoir Jun 2015 #8

down 60% in US too 6chars Jun 2015 #10

well we know where the monies going now don't we :) azurnoir Jun 2015 #11

Good Grief! BDS is making America pay too. shira Jun 2015 #13

Wow! BDS is stronger in France, Germany, and Italy than in Israel. shira Jun 2015 #12

Hilarious agitprop. Did BDS have a role in FDI dropping... shira Jun 2015 #14

Lol thanks for all kicks azurnoir Jun 2015 #19

FDI into Central and Eastern Europe down by a third in 2014 King_David Jun 2015 #15

BDS can not claim "victory ". King_David Jun 2015 #16

so tell me Malbec or Pinot Gris? azurnoir Jun 2015 #17

Huh? King_David Jun 2015 #18

both very dry wines azurnoir Jun 2015 #20

Aah , it was a joke... King_David Jun 2015 #21

Probably not so much BDS shaayecanaan Jun 2015 #23

Erich Bloodaxe BSN

(14,733 posts)

1. That's a pretty hefty drop.

Reply to azurnoir (Original post)

Fri Jun 26, 2015, 05:39 PM

Jun 2015

No doubt Republicans will call for us to double down on the flow of US cash to Israel to make up the difference.

azurnoir

(45,850 posts)

2. NO a rider was put on TAA exluding countries that participated in BDS

Reply to Erich Bloodaxe BSN (Reply #1)

Fri Jun 26, 2015, 06:00 PM

Jun 2015

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1134&pid=107329

R. Daneel Olivaw

(12,606 posts)

3. AS I wrote to a knob head not that long ago, "You can't legislate people to like Israel."

Reply to azurnoir (Original post)

Fri Jun 26, 2015, 10:33 PM

Jun 2015

No matter what weak-kneed or paid off politicians pass for legislation will be ashes in their mouths. The people will not stand for it.

Good. I'm glad that BDS is making a dent.

Fuck human rights abuses and apartheid everywhere.

Israeli

(4,151 posts)

4. From the article ......

Reply to azurnoir (Original post)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 03:54 AM

Jun 2015

"" The seven-week Gaza conflict and the threat of rockets deterred tourists at the height of the summer season, Israeli business journalist Eitan Avriel told Deutsche Welle. ""

That is the one place where its starting to look noticable to the average Israeli ....the tourist trade . Hotels are cutting back on staff and tour guides are struggling to survive .

See : http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4656382,00.html

'Tourists have stopped coming to Israel'

Despite hopes for a recovery in incoming tourism after Gaza war, the crisis is only getting worse with a 28% drop in tourists' hotel stays in the first quarter of 2015. According to estimates, the industry has already lost hundreds of millions of dollars.......

azurnoir

(45,850 posts)

9. But we're told BirthRight visits are up so that's something right?

Reply to Israeli (Reply #4)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 02:32 PM

Jun 2015

Israeli

(4,151 posts)

22. You are also being told its not working ............

Reply to azurnoir (Reply #9)

Sun Jun 28, 2015, 12:03 AM

Jun 2015

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4673256,00.html

Chairman of the Israel Farmers Federation, Meir Tzur, has encountered the boycotting of Israeli products too many times recently. "Just this month, three chains in England announced they won't work with Israel," he says with evident frustration.

"Every time I get a message like that, I feel the most hurt in the world, an outcast, and concerned. Thousands of farmers have already suffered in fields that until recently we were dominating; like flowers, cherry tomatoes, spices or peppers. But most of all my anger is directed at the government of Israel. We have been turning to any possible ministry for years now, warning them, telling them, asking for help, and it turns out we have been talking to a wall. The government is always indifferent; everyone is in denial about this, and not doing anything meaningful."

And Tzur is not the only one. The important battle against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS) is being treated with reckless abandon, according to farmers, academics and others who have been suffering because of the boycott movement.

Part of the government's helplessness is a result of the continuous denial of the situation for years. In fact, until recently, those who tried to publicly warn of a boycott or the threat of isolation had to fend off allegations by government officials, who perceived this topic as propaganda meant to promote a diplomatic process with the Palestinians. An example of such an instance is former strategic affairs minister Moshe Ya'alon, who in 2011 slammed such a warning made by then-defense minister Ehud Barack. "International isolation," Ya'alon said dismissively, "I call it scarecrows with a lot of hot air."

Now, the government's response has quickly turned to the other side of the spectrum, defining the boycott as a "strategic threat."

The boycott's victims are now wondering whether now that the terminology has been changed, there is going to be a change in action as well.

"I am really amazed that they remembered to view this as an existential threat," says promoter Shuki Weiss, who suffered a lot of losses from concerts he organized being cancelled. "We have been warning about this for years, and it obviously spreads like wildfire. Art is a more sensitive field, and we have encountered the phenomenon before others. Every time there is a well-publicized cancellation, we get countless of phone calls, but no actual action is being taken. A lot of talk and no action. Not even a basic initiative that exists in the world like an insurance policy that protects promoters from such cancellation. Nothing. Just talk."

azurnoir

(45,850 posts)

24. what is interesting is that with all the discussion of who to recruit in the fight against BDS

Reply to Israeli (Reply #22)

Sun Jun 28, 2015, 02:46 AM

Jun 2015

not one word about how to do away with it, that is end the occupation

Israeli

(4,151 posts)

25. That is because nobody talks about the occupation ....

Reply to azurnoir (Reply #24)

Sun Jun 28, 2015, 05:22 AM

Jun 2015

except us on the real Left azurnoir.......which is why we think BDS is necessary to wake up the general population as to the price we will all pay if we continue down the path we find ourselves on today .

You can read this , right ? :

http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.663293

The curse of the Labor Party (which, along with Hatnuah, morphed into Zionist Union) is long and continuing. For generations, it has permitted too many Israelis to feel good about themselves, voting for the “Zionist left” while being nationalist and right-wing. By its very existence, this party has blocked the growth of an alternative to it. Its unceasing shift to the right – the yearning to be like the right, not to be identified with controversial positions and to blur its stance – began during Shimon Peres’ time, and maybe even before that.

The excuse is always the same: Elect us, and then afterward you’ll see. This “afterward” never comes. Now the party, which has changed its name but not its substance, is writing another chapter in its dynasty of shame. The right, drunk with power as never before, is landing punches on democracy and leveling blows on the remnants of justice. In the face of this, we have Zionist Union and Yesh Atid – which is portrayed as a fighting opposition as if its leader, Yair Lapid, were a local version of Che Guevara.

Israeli

(4,151 posts)

5. Also ......

Reply to azurnoir (Original post)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 04:17 AM

Jun 2015

from today's Haaretz :......

Indie rock icon Thurston Moore backs BDS when explaining nixed Tel Aviv concert

Former Sonic Youth frontman says canceled gig due to Israel's 'brutal human rights violations - including those accompanying discriminatory laws and occupation of West Bank.'

By Haaretz | Jun. 27, 2015

Indie rock icon Thurston Moore is the latest musician to lend his explicit support to the BDS movement.

After cancelling a Tel Aviv concert scheduled for April 27, the former Sonic Youth frontman confirmed that the nixed gig was due to Israel's treatment of Palestinians.

"It was with serious deliberation that I eventually arrived at the personal conclusion that to perform with my band in Israel was in direct conflict to my values," Moore told music website The Quietus.

"With the realization that a cultural and academic boycott is central to its purpose in exposing a reality of brutal human rights violations – including those accompanying Israel's discriminatory laws and occupation of the West Bank – I felt the need, with humility, to cancel the engagement."

"With apology and thanks to everyone I work with professionally, as this decision incurs difficult rectification," Moore continued, "and to every individual with a wish to hear us play live, I've made the decision, with certitude, to fully acknowledge the dedication of the boycott until the time comes for it to be unnecessary."

Moore added that Sonic Youth's 1996 concert in Tel Aviv "was an amazing, wonderful experience and education. I hope to return soon."

Last month, Lauryn Hill confirmed she canceled her March 7 concert in Rishon Letzion because she could not organize a parallel performance in Ramallah, and did not want her appearance only before Israelis to be a "source of alienation" to her fans.

In late April, Pink Floyd multiinstrumentalist Roger Waters - arguably the most outspoken musician in favor of the BDS movement - slammed British pop start Robbie Williams for performing in Israel.

In February, over 100 British artists, including Waters and fellow musician Brian Eno, announced a cultural boycott of Israel, along with more than 600 other artists who also signed up to the initiative.

Source: http://www.haaretz.com/life/music-theater/1.663222

azurnoir

(45,850 posts)

6. BDS seems to be growing

Reply to Israeli (Reply #5)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 01:40 PM

Jun 2015

part of me wonders if American protectionism of Israel didn't play a role in bringing it to this point?

6chars

(3,967 posts)

7. this must not be the only boycott movement

Reply to azurnoir (Original post)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 01:55 PM

Jun 2015

FDI in France down by 65%, Germany down by 90%, Italy down by 55% etc.

azurnoir

(45,850 posts)

8. yet strangely it's up in India, China, and most but not all of the ME :)

Reply to 6chars (Reply #7)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 02:01 PM

Jun 2015

6chars

(3,967 posts)

10. down 60% in US too

Reply to azurnoir (Reply #8)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 02:52 PM

Jun 2015

developing countries (incl china, india, rest of m.e.) increased last year but developed countries overall dropped 30%. in fact since 2011, developed countries overall dropped 40%, while israel dropped by less. not sure it means so much about bds compared to world macro economic trends. guess we'll find out in a few years.

azurnoir

(45,850 posts)

11. well we know where the monies going now don't we :)

Reply to 6chars (Reply #10)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 02:57 PM

Jun 2015

shira

(30,109 posts)

13. Good Grief! BDS is making America pay too.

Reply to 6chars (Reply #10)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 03:11 PM

Jun 2015

Gee.

shira

(30,109 posts)

12. Wow! BDS is stronger in France, Germany, and Italy than in Israel.

Reply to 6chars (Reply #7)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 03:10 PM

Jun 2015

Did you know BDS was targeting those states?

I'm not sure BDS'ers know that.

shira

(30,109 posts)

14. Hilarious agitprop. Did BDS have a role in FDI dropping...

Reply to azurnoir (Original post)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 03:16 PM

Jun 2015

...even more sharply in the US, France, Germany, and Italy? They got hammered even more than Israel.

Just another in a long stream of lies & disinformation from the ass hats at BDS.

azurnoir

(45,850 posts)

19. Lol thanks for all kicks

Reply to shira (Reply #14)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 09:21 PM

Jun 2015

but ya know William Shakespeare had a saying about protesting

King_David

(14,851 posts)

15. FDI into Central and Eastern Europe down by a third in 2014

Reply to azurnoir (Original post)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 03:19 PM

Jun 2015

http://www.bne.eu/content/story/fdi-central-and-eastern-europe-down-third-2014

BDS at work in Europe too?

King_David

(14,851 posts)

16. BDS can not claim "victory ".

Reply to azurnoir (Original post)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 03:24 PM

Jun 2015

http://www.ft.com/fastft/349871/post-349871

azurnoir

(45,850 posts)

17. so tell me Malbec or Pinot Gris?

Reply to King_David (Reply #16)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 03:52 PM

Jun 2015

seems like a couple are here are drinking one or the other

King_David

(14,851 posts)

18. Huh?

Reply to azurnoir (Reply #17)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 03:54 PM

Jun 2015

azurnoir

(45,850 posts)

20. both very dry wines

Reply to King_David (Reply #18)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 09:22 PM

Jun 2015

King_David

(14,851 posts)

21. Aah , it was a joke...

Reply to azurnoir (Reply #20)

Sat Jun 27, 2015, 10:31 PM

Jun 2015

shaayecanaan

(6,068 posts)

23. Probably not so much BDS

Reply to azurnoir (Original post)

Sun Jun 28, 2015, 12:18 AM

Jun 2015

although it wouldn't have helped. The article pointed out that a few big, overhyped tech deals have kept the numbers going for as long as they have (social media apps and such that have yet to make any money).

Probably less foreign money going into real estate as well, given how expensive it already is, and how much a correction is in order.

Time to short the shekel, boys. Thats two bubbles for the price of one (one tech bubble and one property bubble), and there'a both comin' down.

And not to toot my own horn, but I did say as much a couple of months ago:-

http://www.democraticunderground.com/113496926#post5

The predictions of four or five percent annual GDP growth were based on one very rosy quarter, which has proved to be an Indian summer:-

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/israel/gdp-growth

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