UK parliament introduces bill prohibiting boycott of Israeli goods

Britain’s parliament is considering a government bill that would bar local councils from boycotting Israeli goods, drawing outrage from civil society organizations.

The bill would prevent local councils and universities from “adopting their own foreign policy” by boycotting Israel or companies that trade with Tel Aviv.

UK Communities Secretary Michael Gove was set to propose the legislation on Monday evening, The Telegraph reported.

Gove told the paper, “It is simply wrong that public bodies have been wasting taxpayers’ time and money pursuing their own foreign policy agenda.”

“The UK must have a consistent approach to foreign policy, set by the UK government,” he said.

Gove accused anti-Israel campaigns of undermining the UK’s foreign policy.

The legislation would enable ministers to conduct investigations into suspected breaches of the ban.

Public bodies that break the new rules could face “significant” fines, the paper said.

Observers believe the legislation would be a direct assault on the Palestinian civil society movement Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS).

MG