Opposition to British government legislation stopping local authorities boycotting Israel

A Derry City and Strabane District councillor has "blasted" Tory Government legislation currently going through Westminster, which is aimed at stopping local authorities from implementing boycotts of Israel. 

Cllr Shaun Harkin (People Before Profit) said: "The controversial legislation known as the Economic Activity of Public Bodies Overseas Bill would make it illegal for councils, universities and public bodies to implement their own policy in regards to solidarity boycotts."

Derry City and Strabane District Council has been sent notification of the British government's intent to move this legislation forward. 

The Council has had a policy of supporting boycotting Israel since September 2016, with the position reaffirmed on a number of occasions since then. 

Cllr Harkin added: "The new Tory Bill would criminalise the position overwhelmingly supported in Council.

"This is an outrageous piece of legislation. I am proud to serve on a Council with a clear Anti-Apartheid position. 

"Derry leads the way in the fight for Civil Rights. The Tory Government will not take away our right to show solidarity with oppressed people. They won't criminalise Palestine solidarity. They won't criminalise our Council." 

Critics of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement have claimed that it is anti-semitic.

Cllr Harkin refuted these claims, saying: "Thirty-nine Jewish groups from across the world have signed up to Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign. This includes Israeli Human Rights organisations. 

"BDS is a peaceful movement, one which is inspired by the boycott of Apartheid South Africa. 

"BDS is an anti-racist, worldwide movement to give voice to the oppressed and bring about peaceful change in Israel and Palestine. The Tories want to ban BDS because it is growing. 

"The truth about Isreal's daily war crimes against the Palestinian people and the complicity of the British, US and EU governments can't and won't be contained."

People Before Profit pledged to fight to maintain Derry and Strabane Council's support for BDS.

Cllr Harkin said: "We will fight hard against any attempts to curtail peaceful protest and solidarity movements. 

"The settler pogroms of the last few weeks, cheered on by the most extreme right wing government Israel has ever had, shows why we need BDS more than ever. 

"The events in Jenin Refugee Camp should be a catalyst for a stepping up of boycott activities. 

"As a party PBP support boycotting Israel and we ask the people of Derry and beyond to do the same."

"We send our full solidarity to the people of Palestine at this time."