Muslim-led coalition in NYC launches campaign promoting investment in Israel over BDS

A coalition of primarily Muslim civil society organizations in New York City has launched a campaign opposing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, saying it aims to counter New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's anti-Israel positions by promoting investment, economic cooperation and dialogue.

The newly formed Unbreakable Bond Coalition says building economic, cultural and societal ties between Israelis and Palestinians is a more effective path to peace than boycotts.

Its first initiative aims to raise $500,000 through a grassroots campaign to invest in Israeli Treasury bonds, with dividends from those investments supporting four organizations dedicated to Israeli-Palestinian coexistence.

"The reality is that Israelis and Palestinians are deeply connected economically," the coalition said in a statement. "Broad boycotts can unintentionally harm the very workers and communities they claim to support."

Therefore, the statement said, the group would look for ways "to benefit Israel, its Arab citizens and Palestinians employed by Israeli companies."

The coalition's founding members include the American Muslim & Multifaith Women's Empowerment Council (AMMWEC), Muslim Women Speakers Bureau, Global Youth Unity Project (GYUP), Abraham PRC and Muslims Israel Dialogue.

Organizers say they hope additional organizations and individuals will join the effort.

The campaign is scheduled to launch Thursday, marking the 21st anniversary of the BDS movement's founding by a coalition of Palestinian organizations and their supporters.

According to the coalition, dividends generated from the Israeli Treasury bond investments will be distributed to four nonprofits that promote coexistence: Sharaka, the Jerusalem Interfaith Center, the Combat Antisemitism Movement and Debate for Peace.

Coalition members say the initiative is also intended as a response to Mamdani, whose criticism of Israel and support for the BDS movement have drawn praise from supporters and criticism from pro-Israel groups.

The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) was among the first organizations to endorse the initiative.

"CAM is proud to stand with Muslim partners in the fight against the hate-fueled BDS movement," said director Sacha Roytman. "We look forward to continued collaborative efforts to counter extremism and revitalize the ancient Abrahamic bonds linking Muslims and Jews."

Speaking to The Times of Israel, Sheikh Musa Drammeh, a pro-Israel Muslim community activist in New York City, said some Muslim leaders believed it was important to publicly challenge anti-Israel activism and offer an alternative vision for relations between Muslims and Jews:

"He is Muslim and New York is home to the largest Muslim and Jewish community, so some of us decided that we are going to counter every step along the way, otherwise, things will be normalized. Just like there are some Jewish people who are anti-Israel, anti-Zionist, there is a growing Muslim community that will never, ever subscribe to anti-Israel positions, anti-Zionism. BDS failed and BDS cannot be tolerated. Simple as that."

"This is a global encouragement for people to invest in Israel. We want Israeli companies and we want Israeli treasuries to be looked at as a viable, investable entity, just like the US. We’re leading the way in normalizing people to invest and learn about Israel," he said.

According to its website, AMMWEC advocates for moderate Muslim leadership, women's empowerment, religious freedom and cooperation among the Abrahamic faiths.

The organization also supports designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization and says it opposes antisemitism, Islamophobia, extremism and all forms of bigotry while promoting civic engagement, dialogue and mutual respect.