Israel to Punish Groups Supporting BDS

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

"The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement works to end international support for Israel's oppression of Palestinians and pressure Israel to comply with international law" - the movement states on its website.

The most effective way to counter Israeli state terror on Palestinians and neighboring countries is through boycotts, divestments and sanctions - inflicting economic and political harm.

The BDS movement allied with a global initiative in solidarity with Ahed Tamimi. On the first day of her kangaroo court military trial, it said "over 10 million Indian women (from the country's women's movement) demand" she be freed, along with all other Palestinian children illegally imprisoned.

They endorsed BDS as the most effective form of solidarity with her and all other Israeli political prisoners.

BDS was inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement and US civil rights activism under Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and others, along with India's movement for independence from UK colonial rule.

According to Haaretz, Israeli finance minister Moshe Kahlon intends approving "new regulations to prevent organizations and individuals who support a boycott of Israel from receiving various tax breaks or from participating in government bids" - including Israeli citizens.

A blacklist of groups and individuals will be compiled, targeted ones to be summoned for a hearing before action is taken against them.

In March 2017, legislation banning foreign nationals and Palestinian BDS supporters from entering Israel was enacted. It violates the fundamental right of free expression and views on any issue.

The measure states "(n)o visa and residency permit of any type will be given to a person who is not an Israeli citizen or does not have a permit for permanent residency in the State of Israel if he, (or) the organization or entity for which he works, has knowingly issued a public call to impose a boycott on the State of Israel, as defined in the Preventing Harm to the State of Israel through Boycott Law…or has committed to participate in such a boycott."

A 2011 anti-boycott law infringed on the right of Israelis to speak freely on any issue without fear of recrimination.

At the time, the Global BDS Movement and Coalition for Women for Peace called the bill: "one of the most dangerous anti-democratic laws promoted in this current Knesset." 

"Boycott is a nonviolent, legal and legitimate means to promote social and political aims that is protected in civil rights of freedom of expression, opinion and assembly. The bill constitutes a fatal blow to all these civil rights."

According to Israeli officials, an amendment to the Boycott Prevention Law is coming - to allow filing civil lawsuits against BDS activists and groups.

Israel wants its high crimes suppressed. It wants anyone exposing them punished.

Its impunity is aided by support from corrupt regimes, notably Washington. 

Grassroots activism is the most effective way to one day end its ruthless colonization, occupation and apartheid.

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