London passes amendment to ban BDS

By Al Mayadeen Net
Source: Agencies
24 Feb 2022 14:33
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The new bill, introduced by a Conservative MP, tightens state control on pension funds supporting BDS sanctions.

A march calling for justice for Palestinians moves through the streets of central London. (AFP)

On Tuesday, the British government passed an amendment to ban the anti-"Israel" Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, according to the Jewish Chronicle, a pro-"Israel" newspaper based in London.

The amendment stops local authority pension funds from supporting BDS sanctions against British companies doing business with "Israel."

Despite protests by Labour MPs, Rob Jenrick, a Conservative MP, introduced the amendment which gives more power to the government to control local pension funds, preventing them from making decisions that are in contradiction with London's foreign and defense policy.

After the vote, Jenrick weighed in on the reasons: "BDS against Israel is all too often connected to antisemitism here in the UK and does nothing to promote peace and is increasingly out of step with the mood in the Middle East following the Abraham Accords, whereby a number of Gulf states are forging productive links with Israel."

Jenrick continued: "It is unacceptable for local councils to be making divisive foreign policy interventions contrary to the position of the UK Government. I am delighted that my amendment has passed and will be the first step in legislation outlawing BDS in the UK. I hope it presages a wider Bill in the forthcoming Queen's Speech tackling BDS throughout the public sector."

On the same day the amendment was passed, the Hertfordshire County Council rejected an attempt to divest from companies linked with "Israel," arguing that this was out of their scope of influence.

"Israel's" meddling in democracy

It's not only in the United Kingdom: US states have been in a debacle with citizens and civil liberty groups over matters regarding boycotting "Israel" - in 2017, Texas passed a law that requires public employees and companies to sign a contract that they will not engage in any boycott of "Israel" or else they will face consequences.

However, with multiple lawsuits, Texas federal courts ruled that such a contract is unconstitutional.

That case is causing a ripple effect: Georgia and Virginia, according to the Electronic Intifada, are trying to crush citizens' rights to boycott "Israel" - but the people are fighting back.