Identity vs. Character in a World of Polarization

The article analyzes the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement as a technology of collective pressure that combines economic and communicative dimensions. The author examines whether the boycott is merely a form of peaceful pressure for human rights and an end to the occupation, or a tool for delegitimizing the state of Israel. The text refers to the theories of Albert Hirschman and Mancur Olson to explain the mechanisms of collective action and the role of social media in coordinating modern boycotts. The analysis points to the tension between different interpretations of BDS goals—from striving for a two-state solution to attempting a deep systemic transformation of the region—and examines the resilience of the Israeli economy to such actions.