Targeting Israeli Apartheid: a BDS handbook - Corporate Watch ...

Overview of the Israeli Economy: Tourism 66Companies advertising holidays or guest rooms in Israeli settlements:Venere.comTravelbyclick.netVoyageurs du MondeBooking.comMarketing companies working with the Israeli Ministry of Tourism:AcanchiAlternative tourismRecognising the importance of visiting Palestine in building the global solidarity movement,many Palestinian and Palestine solidarity groups promote alternative solidarity tours toPalestine. Many of these groups tap into the constant supply of Christian groups wishing tovisit the 'holy land'. These groups include the Alternative Tourism Group (www.atg.ps), TheOlive Co-op (http://www.olivecoop.com) and the Holy Land Trust (www.holylandtrust.org).Groups like these allow tourism to strengthen resistance to Israeli apartheid, rather thanbenefit the occupiers. However, those thinking of visiting Palestine should consider whethertheir visit is placed firmly within the framework of solidarity.ResistanceIn 2008, activists in Valladolid, Spain, occupied the area close to the Israeli stall at the 14thValladolid Tourism Fair. The following year, the Israeli delegation refused to participate inthe fair. 26In April 2010, the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a complaint byPalestine solidarity activists about Israeli Ministry of Tourism posters that implied that EastJerusalem was part of Israel. The posters were banned. 27 There has also been a concerteddirect action campaign in London to subvertise and destroy Israeli Ministry of Tourismposters. 28Activists worldwide mobilised against the OECD's Tourism Conference in Jerusalem in2010. As a result, five countries, the UK, Sweden, Ireland, Turkey and South Africa,withdrew from the conference. 29 The Alternative Tourism Group, the Arab Hotel Association,26 See http://plataformapalestinavalladolid.blogspot.com/, [accessed February 2011].27 Sweeney, M (2010), Israeli tourism ad banned for using photo of East Jerusalem, The Guardian.Available: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/apr/14/israeli-tourism-ad-asa, [accessed February2011].28 For example see Asad, A (2010), Activists 'decorate' Israel Ministry of Tourism billboards, UKIndymedia. Available: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2010/07/455326.html, [accessed February2011].29 See, for instance, Boycott National Committee Press Release (2010), Five countries boycott tourismconference in Jerusalem, Available: http://bdsmovement.net/?q=node/778, [accessed February 2011].