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

UK finally allows Palestinian students to bring families from Gaza

US advances Gaza security force plan amid fragile ceasefire

"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.