New York, February 11 (RHC)-- A top American Jewish leader says the growing international campaign to boycott Israel over illegal settlements is one of Tel Aviv's greatest challenges.

Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, called on Western governments to work against the phenomenon.

“We have to counter the BDS movement in the strongest possible way," Hoenlein said, referring to an international movement of boycott, divestment and sanctions -- knows by its acronym, BDS. He said: "That means zero tolerance, and that has to become the mantra of our time.”

Israel has faced the widening boycott campaign by some European businesses over its illegal settlement activities on occupied Palestinian land. Two of Europe's biggest financial institutions have boycotted transactions with Israeli companies involved in the settlement construction.

The European Union has also blocked all grants and funding to any Israeli entity based in the illegal settlements. The American Studies Association has also announced a decision to boycott Israeli institutions and academics over the discriminatory treatment of Palestinians.