Britain blocks BDS
The World Jewish Congress has welcomed a decision by the British government to issue binding guidance to all public authorities in the UK aimed at preventing them from boycotting Israeli suppliers and imposing stiff penalties on those who do.
Robert Singer
WJC CEO Robert Singer called the new rules “a significant step and a major victory against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement which unfairly singles out Israel.”
Singer declared: “Over the course of the last years, the UK has been a hotbed for BDS activity. We saw a number of universities and local councils adopting boycott resolutions against the Jewish state, severe actions in supermarkets, and attempts to hamper trade relations between Britain and Israel. It’s therefore important and welcome that the British government has now decided to take action.
“While individuals remain free to express their opinions toward Israel, no matter how hypocritical they may be, it is critical that public authorities uphold the law and do not unfairly single out for punitive actions the only democratic state in the Middle East,” Singer added.
The guidance published Wednesday by the UK Cabinet Office makes it clear that “procurement boycotts by public authorities are inappropriate, outside where formal legal sanctions, embargoes and restrictions have been put in place by the government.”
A statement issued by the Cabinet Office said: “Town hall boycotts undermine good community relations, poisoning and polarising debate, weakening integration and fuelling antisemitism. Locally imposed boycotts can roll back integration as well as hinder Britain’s export trade and harm international relationship.”
Read the guidelines here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/500811/PPN_on_wider_international_obligations.pdf
This is indeed a mayor achievement!