UK Communities Secretary Michael Gove Will introduce a bill in parliament on Monday that seeks to prevent local councils from boycotting Israeli goods.
The legislation, which was part of the Conservative Party’s (Tory) 2019 manifesto, comes after a series of resolutions passed by local councils to back the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement in relation to public procurement contracts or pension schemes.
Gove said that boycotting Israeli goods would lead to an increase in antisemitic rhetoric and abuse, while additionally the law aimed to prevent councils from making their own foreign policy.
The Bill will prevent public bodies from boycotting any foreign government or territory.
“It is absolutely wrong that public entities are wasting taxpayers’ time and money to advance their foreign policy agendas,” Gove said. WireCommenting on the need for bills. “The UK must have a coherent approach to foreign policy as set out by the UK government,” he continued.
Leicester City Council, Swansea City Council and Gwynedd Council all passed bills in support of the BDS movement ahead of the 2019 election.
drive a nail into labor
There are also suspicions that the bill is designed to drive a wedge into the Conservative Party’s main rival – the UK Labor Party.
The issue of Israel has been a divisive pressure point for Labor over the past few years. The party’s previous head, Jeremy Corbyn, publicly supported targeted action against settlements in the West Bank, and his legacy within the party has led to deep divisions between his supporters and his opponents.
The current head of the party, Keir Starmer, has been far more pro-Israel than his predecessor and more decisive In his crackdown against antisemitism in the party. Part of his campaign against antisemitism led to Corbyn’s suspension in 2020, and the party’s refusal to endorse him for the upcoming elections in 2024, preventing him from running as the party’s candidate.
The law will not affect sanctions imposed by the UK government, such as those imposed on Russia and Belarus, as these are set by a national government rather than a local one.
recent conversation The free trade agreement between Israel and Britain may also be a factor.