‘Diaspora hurt most by boycott’ says Natan Sharansky

The boycott campaign is more dangerous for diaspora Jews than for Israel, according to the chairman of the Jewish Agency, Natan Sharansky.

While its impact of BDS on Israel’s economy or cultural relations was non-existent, it threatened to discourage diaspora Jews from openly identifying with the Jewish state, Mr Sharanksy told the audience at Monday’s event at JW3 in London

The former refusenik said the campaign against Israel was leading some young Jews to believe it was not good for their career to be “publicly associated” with the country.

“I see how our opponents, not to say enemies, are successful in bringing this feeling of uncertainty,” he said. “That is the danger and we have to fight it.”