In a statement, the movement said the presence of Israel’s ambassador to Greece, Noam Katz, alongside representatives of Israeli institutions and companies, is ‘unacceptable and provocative’ given the ongoing war in Gaza. It called on businesses, professional associations, academics, students and the wider academic community to reject what it described as the ‘greenwashing of genocide’ and to demand the withdrawal of Israeli representatives from the event.
Among the announced speakers are Dan G. Blumberg, vice-president of Ben-Gurion University, Oded Sagee, chief technology officer of Gaon Agro Industries Ltd, and Cobi Bitton, chief executive of the Israeli-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.
According to BDS Greece, these figures represent institutions and entities that are complicit in Israeli state policies, including the occupation of Palestinian territories and the expansion of settlements. The group argued that allowing them to speak at international forums contributes to the normalisation of what it describes as apartheid and ongoing violence against Palestinians.
The statement also referred to the International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued against the prime minister of Israel, arguing that the presence of Israeli officials at international conferences is unacceptable while the war in Gaza continues.
Academic boycott and criticism of Israeli institutions
BDS Greece also highlighted the international academic boycott movement, arguing that Israeli universities are directly linked to state policies and military structures that sustain the occupation.
It cited examples of universities that have cut ties with Israeli institutions and called on Greek universities and academic bodies to follow similar practices in order to exert political pressure for accountability.
The statement also referenced a United Nations General Assembly resolution adopted in September 2024, which addressed the illegality of Israeli settlements and the obligation of institutions not to support the occupation.
Agriculture, Gaza and the broader conflict
BDS Greece also argued that Israeli military operations have devastated agricultural production in the Gaza Strip, citing findings by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization that large parts of the sector have been destroyed.
The statement also referred to developments in Lebanon and the West Bank, including allegations of land confiscations, destruction of olive groves and restrictions on Palestinian agricultural activity.
According to the movement, Israeli agricultural technologies and production are sometimes linked to settlement activity, which it says is illegal under international law.
Call for boycott
BDS Greece called on participants, institutions and organisations to withdraw from the AgriBusiness Forum if Israeli representatives remain on the programme.
‘Boycott is a social, legal and non-violent means of political pressure. A last resort in the face of brutality,’ the statement said.
The group concluded by calling for the removal of Israeli officials and institutions from the conference and urged Greek universities not to participate in what it described as the ‘laundering’ of Israeli state policies.
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