video

Want peace? Stop funding BDS, a Palestinian human rights activist told the European Union.

Palestinian human rights activist Bassem Eid addressed the European Union Parliament in Brussels and criticized Europe for turning a blind eye to the economic plight of Gaza, saying that “dignity can be achieved only via economic prosperity.”

Accusing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement of “trying to use the Palestinians in order to gain power and money,” Eid said that if Europe cut its funding, like President Donald Trump cut the funding to UNRWA, the BDS movement would cease to exist within six months.

Europe should give the money directly to the Palestinians, he said, adding that the slogans uttered by BDS members that short-term suffering was necessary in order to gain long-term benefits were similar to slogans uttered by Arab leaders in 1948, 70 years ago.

He also criticized the Palestinian Authority for preventing activists from participating in coexistence events.