Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Intense US efforts are being made to resolve differences, such as the issue of the Israeli presence on Mount Hermon and in southern Syria
Israeli media: The security agreement means amending the disengagement agreement, which will also address the Druze issue
Israeli media: Attempts to reach a security agreement between 'Israel' and Syria were among the topics discussed at the Paris meeting
Israeli media: Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif rejected a US proposal to join the recent tripartite meeting between Tom Barrack, al-Shaibani, and Dermer
Saba News Agency: Two martyred, five injured in a preliminary toll of the Israeli aggression on the Yemeni Oil Company station on Al-Sitteen Street in Sanaa
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: We observed a state of confusion among the enemy's aircraft squadron after Yemeni air defenses intercepted the attack
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: The Yemeni air defense forces succeeded in neutralizing a squadron of enemy aircraft and prevented airstrikes on some governorates
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: Our air defenses and missile forces forced a formation of enemy aircraft to flee the airspace
Member of the Ansar Allah Political Bureau, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti: The Israeli aggression on Yemen will not deter us from continuing to support Gaza, no matter the sacrifices
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Israeli aggression targeted the Yemeni Oil Company station on Al-Sitteen Street, southwest of the capital, Sanaa, with several raids

Anti-BDS bill in the UK faces backlash, mass abstentions from MPs

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News Website
  • 4 Jul 2023 12:50
4 Min Read

The bill singles out "Israel" as particularly worthy of protection from such economic sanctions. 

  • x
  • Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures during his first Prime Minister's Questions, in the House of Commons in London, Wednesday, September 4, 2019 (AP)
    Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures during his first Prime Minister's Questions, in the House of Commons in London, Wednesday, September 4, 2019 (AP)

Earlier on Monday, a bill was passed forbidding public bodies from boycotting the Israeli entity and certain countries despite abstention from Labour and the opposition of some Conservatives (who thought a bill like this would prevent action against China). 

The bill, dubbed Economic Activity of Public Bodies, targets bodies such as local councils prohibiting them from autonomously imposing sanctions on countries that are not sanctioned by the Westminster government. 

The bill singles out "Israel" as being particularly worthy of protection from such economic sanctions. 

“[The bill] affirms the important principle that UK foreign policy is a matter for the UK government. It ensures local authorities focus their efforts on serving residents, not directing their resources inefficiently. And critically it protects minorities, especially Jewish communities, against campaigns that harm community cohesion and fuel antisemitism,” said Michael Gove, the communities secretary, during the Commons debate on Monday. 

“We recognize the problem that he says this bill is needed to tackle. It is therefore deeply frustrating that the government has introduced a bill that is so needlessly broad, with such sweeping draconian powers … that he is faced with genuine legitimate heartfelt opposition from his own benches,” Lisa Nandy, the shadow communities secretary, said during the debate. 

Alicia Kearns, a conservative MP and the chair of the foreign affairs select committee, said the bill “undermines our commitments as a UN security council member."

The bill, she said, "essentially gives exceptional impunity to Israel."

"This is something we should not give to any country and I would be standing here making the same request if any country was named," Kearns added.  

Dame Margaret Hodge, a labor MP who served in Labour governments, described the bill as "flawed, poorly drafted, and will have damaging consequences."

Related News

'Israel' in talks to displace Palestinians to South Sudan

'Israel' destroyed 1,000+ buildings in Gaza City since Aug. 6

"The bill is not a considered attempt to bring about peace, provide better security for Israel, or respond to the threats posed by BDS, It's about using Jews as a pawn in the government's political game," she said. 

The bill gives the government the power to make certain countries exempt from the restrictions, such as Russia and Belarus. 

The bill is claimed to keep foreign policy, especially in regards to "Israel", a matter of the UK government to prevent BDS from influencing British foreign policy through local authorities and councils. 

Read more: Friends of Al-Aqsa group condemns UK anti-BDS bill

Back in June, it was reported that the UK government would be introducing a bill prohibiting councils from boycotting Israeli goods is anticipated to be introduced a week later.

Michael Gove, the Cabinet minister in charge of local government, was set to introduce the legislation. According to Gove, boycotting Israeli goods leads to "appalling antisemitic rhetoric and abuse."

He said that "it is simply wrong that public bodies have been wasting taxpayers’ time and money pursuing their foreign policy agenda," adding that "the UK must have a consistent approach to foreign policy, set by the UK government." 

“These campaigns not only undermine the UK’s foreign policy but lead to appalling antisemitic rhetoric and abuse. That is why we have taken this decisive action to stop these disruptive policies once and for all.”

Following a commitment in the 2019 Conservative general election manifesto, the boycott, divestment, and sanctions bill was first mentioned in the Queen's speech in 2022.

Documentation released with the speech last year said claimed the government has no tolerance for discrimination, which pits different communities against each other. It referenced motions passed by the Lancaster city council in support of such campaigns in 2021 and by the Leicester city council to boycott goods from Israeli settlements in 2014.

  • Palestine
  • BDS
  • "Israel"
  • Israeli occupation
  • UK

Most Read

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Displaced Palestinians walk through a makeshift camp along the beach in Gaza City, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)

Hamas, other factions accept Egypt-Qatar ceasefire proposal: Exclusive

  • Politics
  • 18 Aug 2025
Palestine will not be liberated by UN reports, but by pursuing a different strategic horizon: one that does not beg for recognition. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Economy of Genocide: Albanese's report accuses, but doesn't dismantle system

  • Opinion
  • 18 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu deliberately derailing truce with Gaza occupation: Hamas

Irish President Michael Higgins arrives to deliver his speech during a 42nd World Food Day celebration at FAO headquarters in Rome, on Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Politics

Irish president renews call for UN military intervention in Gaza

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the US Embassy in Aukar, northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 21, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes in multiple areas in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ansar Allah vow sustained Gaza support despite Israeli strikes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS