VOA慢速英语2015 以色列抵制联合运动

AS IT IS 2015-06-11 Israel Fights Boycott¹ Movement 以色列抵制联合运动

Israel is increasing its efforts against an international boycott movement. Some activists² are calling for the boycott of Israeli-owned businesses that operate in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories. Observers say support for the boycott appears to have increased after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would never permit creation of a Palestinian state. Since then, the Israeli leader has made comments that appear to conflict with his earlier statements.

The BDS Movement aims to put financial pressure on Israel to end the occupation and settlement of land it captured in the 1967 Six-Day War. Middle East expert Sharif Nashashibi says the campaign is growing stronger.

“The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement has been increasingly effective. The Palestinian Authority is taking Israel to the International Criminal Court. As welcome as worldwide recognition is, there has to be accompanying pressure on Israel to make that (Palestinian) state a reality.”

The French-owned telephone company Orange said last week it would withdraw from a deal with Israeli operator Partner. The head of Orange later said his comments were based on finances, not politics.

Prime Minister Netanyahu reacted angrily to the announcement. He invited the company’s leader to come to Israel to explain the decision.

Mr. Netanyahu said “the government will stand against any attempt to harm Israel with lies, false accusations³ and boycotts⁴. We will push back any pressure,” he said. “We will report the lies, and attack the attackers...”

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says France does not support a boycott.

Mr. Fabius said the head of Orange can decide what his company does. But he said a boycott is not recognized under international law.

Most of Israel’s allies have criticized the boycott movement. But they are becoming tired of waiting for Mr. Netanyahu to act. That is the opinion of Yossi Mekelberg, professor of International Relations at Regents University London.

“I think gradually it dawns on Israelis that there is out there, within international organizations, in governments, the European Union, even in the United States, a lot think that the Netanyahu government is blocking peace through expanding settlements. And hence they think about what can be done in order to enhance the chance of a peace agreement. I think they think targeting economically the settlements.”

U.S. President Barack Obama has said the international community does not believe that Israel is serious about a two-state solution.

“Then it becomes more difficult to argue with those who are concerned about settlement construction, those who are concerned about the current situation, it’s more difficult for me to say to them ‘be patient, wait, because we have a process here.’”

Israel blames Palestinian militants⁵ for blocking any peace process. On Sunday, Israeli aircraft struck the Gaza Strip after a rocket attack was launched into southern Israel.

Words in This Story

campaign(ing) – v. to lead an effort in support or against someone or something

divestment – n. the selling of stock or property because of an order

sanction(s) – n. a measure or action designed to force a country to obey international laws

construction – n. the act or process of building something

1 boycott   

n./v.(联合)抵制，拒绝参与

参考例句：

• We put the production under a boycott.我们联合抵制该商品。
• The boycott lasts a year until the Victoria board permitsreturn.这个抗争持续了一年直到维多利亚教育局妥协为止。

2 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 accusations   

n.指责( accusation的名词复数 )；指控；控告；（被告发、控告的）罪名

参考例句：

• There were accusations of plagiarism. 曾有过关于剽窃的指控。
• He remained unruffled by their accusations. 对于他们的指控他处之泰然。

4 boycotts   

（对某事物的）抵制( boycott的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Their methods included boycotts and court action, supplemented by'sit-ins". 他们的主要方法包括联合抵制、法庭起诉，还附带进行静坐抗议。
• Are boycotts for other purposes illegal? 至于用于其它目的的联合抵制行动是否也是非法的呢？

5 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。