The meaning of boycott is financial and political. Shun is personal and moral. Boycott was invented in 1880 during the British occupation of Ireland -- perhaps history does have a sense of irony. Shunning has a long religious tradition.

In western countries shunning cannot be made illegal as it would violate freedom of religious conviction. To shun a sinner is to encourage him to repent his sin and sin no more. Shunning Israel would have the same purpose and intent.

Now what do we do about Israel's military dictatorship enforcing a criminal occupation under both Hague V and Geneva IV? Refuse to participate in the crime or with the criminals. The criminals are everyone who participates in the government of Israel which means all those who can vote not merely those who do vote. It also means the war criminals who create and maintain the military dictatorship. It also means the squatters who are war criminals living in the West Bank.

While it is perhaps illegal to boycott Israel in some countries, it cannot be made illegal to refuse to become a war criminal oneself by supporting Israel's horrendous and ongoing war crimes. There cannot be a law requiring one to become a criminal, requiring one to violate other laws. Accessories to crimes are themselves criminals.

Speaking of Hasbara, the US does not have a law against boycotting Israel per se. It does have a law against boycotting Israel for the purpose of doing business in a country which requires such a boycott as a condition of doing business. And for what it is worth, the Arab policy requiring that has been defunct for more than twenty years.

Sharon is the last bullet in the Israeli gun.
When he fails, all fails.
	-- The Iron Webmaster, 699