Israel boycott ban slammed by UK politicians, union leaders

A group of politicians, union leaders and celebrities have slammed the British government for what they call shielding Israel from criticism. The UK authorities have threatened to take legal action against the councils who want to join boycotts against Israel.

Those who are protesting the government say new Cabinet Office guidelines would effectively force councils and other public bodies to invest in Israel’s occupation and in arms companies. They wrote an open letter announcing their support for the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions or BDS. On Wednesday the British government banned all publicly funded institutions from boycotting Israeli goods and services produced in Palestinian land. The ban has been implemented without parliamentary debate or vote.