Palestinians protest German decision to label BDS 'anti-Semitic'

Palestinians on Wednesday protested in Ramallah over a German parliament decision labelling the Boycott, Sanctions, and Divestment (BDS) movement as anti-Semitic.

The Bundestag passed a motion on Friday against the BDS movement, warning that its actions were reminiscent of the Nazis' campaign against Jews.

The motion - the first of its kind by a European parliament - sparked outrage from pro-Palestine activists.

Political factions, civil society organisations and trade unions demonstrated outside of the German representative office in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah to denounce the decision.

Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, said that the German decision was "unfair" and "undemocratic".

"Today we live under a racist apartheid regime in the form of the Israeli occupation," senior Fatah Jamal Muheisen told Wafa.

"Germany and the whole world are required to confront the Israeli government, which is going against all international resolutions, and not to play along with it," he added.

Leading BDS figure Omar Barghouti said the movement rejects racism in all its forms.

"We are against the Israeli colonial and racist regime and the apartheid system, and we have never been anti-Jewish. We reject racism in all its forms, including anti-Semitism," he said, according to Wafa.

The non-violent BDS movement says it is inspired by the campaign that targeted South Africa's apartheid regime and is seeking an end to Israel's brutal occupation.

Israel sees BDS as a strategic threat and accuses it of anti-Semitism - a claim activists firmly deny, calling it an attempt to discredit them.

But the movement, which adheres to peaceful resistance, aims to pressure Israel to adhere to international law and human rights by lobbying various states, institutions and personas to understand its oppression of Palestinians and take action as a result.

BDS operates by pressuring corporations, artists and academic institutions to sever ties with Israel with supporters saying activities are aimed at promoting a Palestinian statehood.