Companies to Boycott During the Palestinian Genocide

Commentary by Maestro Joyner. Photo by Flonora Merritt.

On October 7, 2023 Hamas fighters infiltrated communities along Israel’s southern border with Gaza, killing at least 1,139 people, mostly civilians, and taking 240 hostages. Hamas is the Islamic Resistance Movement, two political parties that govern the Gaza Strip that are known for being resistant towards Israel. Many countries have designated Hamas a terrorist organization due to their attacks on Israel.

After the surprise attack, Israel declared war on Hamas and went on a bombing campaign which is currently killing Palestinians. The Israeli casualties after the Hamas attack are few compared to current Palestinian casualties from the current attacks which have killed, to date, 31,497 Palestinians with 61,079  injured, and 1.7 million displaced—many of them women and children. 

As a result of the October 7 attack, Israel has begun what I and most people around the world consider a genocide against the Palestinian people.

Many Americans, appalled by what is happening, noticed how many US companies still support Israel—Intel, Nestle, L’Oreal, BNP Paribas, Starbucks, and McDonalds. They’ve responded to these companies' decisions and support by coming together online and in-person to boycott them and will to do so until they drop support of Israeli policy and put their money into supporting Palestinians. 

There’s also been major support from celebrities like Angenlina Jolie, Selena Gomez, Dua Lipa, and Zayn Malik, who are speaking about the genocide, while also encouraging support for Palestinian businesses, shops, and organizations.

However, as the Israel-Hamas war continues, there has been discussion online about boycott fatigue, a term that appeared online recently to explain how people ultimately get tired of trying to not spend money at these companies and revert back to the comfort and ease they are used to.

If you are willing to support the boycott and spread awareness about what is happening to the Palestinians, the link to the Boycott Divestment Sanctions and information is here. Show your support by boycotting companies that have explicitly shown support for Israeli policies that lead to the killing of innocent Palestinians.                 

Maestro Joyner is a junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.