Security firm G4S divests from Israel under BDS pressure

 G4S, the world’s largest private security company, has announced plans to sell its operations in Israel within the next two years, citing commercial considerations while analysts say it took the decision under the pressure of anti-occupation BDS campaigners.

The British firm, which employs 8,000 people in Israel, said on Wednesday it would be selling off its business for “entirely commercial reasons,” dismissing however speculation that pressure from Palestinian rights campaigners had anything to do with the decision.

The company said the move was part of wider program of sales, including 60 other businesses.

However, activists involved in the Palestinian boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement welcomed the news, claiming that civil society pressure was responsible for the pullout.

War on Want militarism and security specialist Ryvka Barnard said: “G4S’s announcement proves that campaigning works, yet we will continue to pressure G4S until it ends its involvement in abuse entirely,” according to Russia Today.

Mahmoud Nawajaa, a spokesperson for the Palestinian BDS National Committee said: “BDS pressure is making some of the world’s largest corporations realize that profiting from Israeli apartheid and colonialism is bad for business.”