In solidarity with the Palestinian People, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Society) has formally backed the Boycott Divestment Sanctions campaign.
For over 50 years Cymdeithas yr Iaith have been leading a revolution for Welsh language rights by campaigning for Welsh road signs, a Welsh language TV channel and various Welsh Language Acts. The campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith describes itself as “a society of people that take non-violent action for the Welsh language and communities in Wales as part of the international revolution for rights and freedom”.
In 2005 Palestinian civil society issued a call for a campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights.
Talking about why the organisation is supporting the BDS campaign, Cen Llwyd of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg explained::
“We, as an organisation, have, since our foundation, seen the struggle for rights and freedom for the Welsh language as part of a wider international struggle. We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, another nation without a state. The people of Palestine are subjected to horrific mistreatment by the Israeli state. It is from these principles in favour of rights and freedom that we as a movement have adopted BDS. In response to this call emerges a truly global movement against the subjegation of Palestine of which Cymdeithas is now a part.
Cymdeithas yr Iaith will boycott:
- Companies from Israel
- Other companies that support the colonization of Palestinian lands (including ABP, HP, Veolia, Barclays, Caterpillar and others)
Any purchase from now on for offices, meetings, rallies, gigs, events and other actions will avoid products and services provided by companies under the above two categories.
The boycottof the state of Israel is nessecary because of it's policies that oppress the Palestinian people. The boycott will continue until Israel puts an end to the colonization of Palestinian areas, gives full equality to Israeli Arabs and the right for Palestinean refugees to return to their areas.
The boycott will be held as part of the campaign to put pressure on the Israeli state in the same way as the global peaceful campaigns against apartheid in South Africa in the 1980s. Cymdeithas yr Iaith believes in
equality for all and rejects discrimination on any grounds, including anti-Semitism and racism. Cymdeithas yr Iaith also condemns the use of violence by any person or body for any purpose.