Ofer Neiman is a Jerusalem-based Jewish-Israeli activist. As a co-founder and leading figure of Boycott from Within (BfW), Neiman holds a position that is profoundly radical in the Israeli context: as a citizen, he publicly invites the international community to use BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) against his own state.
Professionally, Neiman is a gifted editor and translator. He served as a long-time editor for Occupation Magazine and has been on the editorial board of the Hebrew-language academic journal The Public Sphere (Mafte’akh). Through his editorial work, he has introduced deep discussions on decolonization, civil rights, and international law to the Israeli public. His translation work spans politics, philosophy, and sociology, aiming to break the highly censored and filtered information environment in Israel. By 2026, he is regarded as a “gatekeeper” of narrative diversity within Israel’s independent media landscape.
For Palestine, Neiman’s activism is highly strategic. He focuses on shifting international perception through targeted advocacy:
- Lobbying Cultural Elites: He has authored numerous open letters to international artists (such as Radiohead or Lorde), explaining why performing in Israel under a regime of apartheid is a political act.
- Countering the “Antisemitism” Label: In response to government efforts to brand BDS as antisemitic, Neiman uses his Jewish identity to push back, arguing that the true moral risk lies in using the Jewish name to sanitize the occupation.
- Role in the 2024-2026 Crisis: Throughout the ongoing conflict, Neiman has served as a vital bridge for international media to access dissenting voices within Israel. He maintains that “only through equality can true security be achieved.”
In a 2025 interview, he stated: “When a system becomes incapable of internal repair, external pressure is the only lifeline. Calling for a boycott is not about hating my neighbors; it is about loving justice and wanting my country to stop being an oppressor.” Addressing the limits of “Liberal Zionism,” he has remarked: “You cannot protest for judicial reform on the weekend and support the siege of Gaza on Monday. If democracy is only for Jews, it isn’t democracy at all.“