CFI has today welcomed the UK Government’s introduction of
“ground-breaking” legislation to prevent public bodies in
the UK from pursuing BDS activities.
The ‘Economic Activity of Public Bodies Bill’ will stop local
councils and all UK public bodies from adopting boycotts,
divestments and sanctions targeting Israel.
The Bill follows the Conservative Party’s 2019 Manifesto
pledge to “ban public bodies from imposing their own
direct or indirect boycotts, divestment or sanctions campaigns
against foreign countries”, which was reiterated in the Queens’
Speech in 2022.
Responding to the introduction of the Bill, CFI’s Parliamentary
Chairmen Rt. Hon. (Commons) and Rt. Hon. The
(Lords), and CFI Honorary
President Lord Polak CBE said:
“Today marks a watershed moment in tackling the divisive BDS
movement. The Government’s ground-breaking legislation,
which delivers on a crucial Manifesto commitment, will play a
critical role in ending the abuse of public bodies for
anti-Israel activity. BDS is harmful not only to community
cohesion here in the UK but also the wider cause of peace between
Israelis and Palestinians”.
CFI’s Parliamentary Chairman (Commons), Rt. Hon. added:
“This landmark legislation marks a major step in the battle
against the pernicious BDS movement. I applaud the Government for
its decisiveness in stopping the abuse of public bodies and
public funds for divisive anti-Israel activity and hope to see it
progress swiftly through Parliament”.
