Boycott Israel campaign gaining strength worldwide

Ten years ago, a small group of Palestinian activists had a novel idea: inspired by the anti-apartheid movement, they called for a global boycott campaign against Israel in an effort to promote the Palestinian struggle for independence.

Long confined to the sidelines, the so-called BDS campaign appears to be gaining momentum - so much so that Israel has identified it as a strategic threat on a par with Palestinian resistance groups.

While Israel brands the movement as anti-Semitism, its decentralized organization and language calling for universal human rights have falsified the Israeli campaign, resulting in a string of recent victories that have alarmed Israeli leaders.

The BDS campaign - named for its call for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel - began as an idea by 170 Palestinian civil society groups in the West Bank in 2005.

It has grown into a worldwide network of thousands of volunteers lobbying corporations, artists and academic institutions to sever ties with Israel.

Its members include campus activists, church groups and even liberal American Jews disillusioned by Israeli policies.

Most worrying for Israel, some of the group's core positions toward products made in West Bank settlements are starting to be embraced by European governments.