In this book historians and social scientists examine boycotts from the eighteenth century to
the present day. Employed in struggles against British rule in the American colonies against
racial discrimination in the United States during the Civil Rights movement and Apartheid in
South Africa today it is Israel that is the focus of a campaign for Boycott Divestment and
Sanctions (BDS). Boycotts have featured in campaigns undertaken by labour consumer and
nationalist movements. Jews were the focus of some boycotts instigated by nationalist movements
in Central and Eastern Europe and Jewish businesses were targeted by the National Socialist
regime in Germany. In this collection contributors explore the history of past boycott
movements and examine the different narratives put forward by proponents and opponents of the
current BDS movement directed against Israel: one which places the movement within a history of
struggles for 'human rights' the other which regards BDS as the latest manifestation of an
antisemitic tradition.