In a crass attempt to reinforce a Boycott, Diversify and Sanction (BDS) campaign against Israel, Yousef Munayyer, executive director of the US campaign to end Israeli occupation made an outrageous anology with apartheid South Africa in order to dissuade actors attending the Oscars not to accept a gift bag containing trips to Israel (Irish Examiner, February 26).

Oscar-nominated celebrities have been urged to skip a $55,000 (€50,000) trip to Israel offered as part of an awards gift bag.