Council opposes British Government's Palestinian boycott legislation

Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) has opposed the bill currently making its way through the British Parliament aimed at stopping local authorities implementing boycotts of Israel.

Council was informed about the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill in a letter from Conservative MP, Felicity Buchan (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities).

At July’s DCSDC plenary meeting, it was agreed Council would  write to Ms Buchan, outlining its opposition to the contentious bill.

Passing the motion proposed by councillor Shaun Harkin , Council also agreed to “oppose the attempt by the British government to impose its distorted foreign policy objectives on local government”.

In addition, the motion noted “the hypocritical boycott exemption for Russia and Belarus”.

Further, Council has agreed to invite “Omar Barghouti, human rights activist and founding member of the Palestinian Civil Society Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against apartheid Israel, for a presentation”.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Harkin said the bill was the British Government’s attempt to stymie and stop the growing solidarity movement for Palestine.

He added: “Every time we see bloodshed, as we did recently in Jenin, that movement grows internationally because it exposes the barbarity of the apartheid state.

“The bill also includes an exemption for Russia and Belarus, so it is clear this is about the British States foreign policy objectives. Obviously Russia is committing war crimes in Ukraine but Israel is committing war crimes in Palestine and there are many other brutal regimes around the world doing the same.

“I think we, as a Council that supports BDS, has to send a very strong message to the British government that we are not going to be bullied by the British government or any entity that is going to tell us that we can’t build a solidarity movement in support of Palestine.”

Sinn Féin Christopher Jackson described the British Government’s actions as “disgusting and disgraceful”.

He added: “The British Government is trying to prevent local authorities in Britain raising their voices in support of the Palestinian people.

“I have met Omar Barghouti a number of times, and I completely welcome the opportunity to invite him, either virtually or physically if possible, to this Council as his advice would be invaluable.

“Omar Barghouti has highlighted the fact existing British Government policy restricts councils here in the North from playing an active part in the BDS campaign anyway.

“This bill is to extend that policy and include England, Scotland and Wales too. We will not adopt the foreign policy of the Tory party in London, no matter who sends us a letter.”

Cllr Brian Tierney (SDLP) pointed out that both of the SDLP’s MPs had voted against the bill in Westminster.

He added: “Our local MP, Colum Eastwood spoke for everyone across the city when he voted against the bill.”

Before the meeting, the Derry Branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign held a protest on the steps of the Guildhall, which was joined by councillors Gary Donnelly and Shaun Harkin.

Speaking to Derry Now, Catherine Hutton, the group’s chairperson said the British Government’s bill had been designed to prevent local authorities such as DCSDC, across Britain, boycotting Israel specifically.

Ms Hutton said: “The letter to DCSDC directly referenced the BDS (Boycott Divestment Sanctions) campaign against Israel.

“For activists here who are working for Palestine solidarity, the Council is one of the main tools we can use to help get the message across and to enact boycotts and divestments, in terms of pension funds, in order to keep it in line with human rights and ethics.

“Taking a moral or ethical stance about something should always be at the heart of public procurement. Unfortunately that is not the case most of the time.

“Our Council, although it was symbolic, did pass a motion to support Palestine in Struggle and also to support the BDS movement albeit there have been restrictions.”

Ms Hutton added in the North some people were invoking Section 75, which deals with issues including religious inequality in terms of employment,to prevent anything being done regarding BDS.

She added: “However, this Bill would definitely be the nail in the coffin of the BDS campaign.

“For example something such as choosing not to use Hewlett Packard products, excluding them from tenders, that’s what we are asking. Going forward, it is making the ethical procurement decisions because that was what was done around South Africa.

“Hewlett Packard is deeply involved and complicit in the Israeli occupation of Palestine at a deep level, with software in their fighter jets and the Population Register.

“Countries like Norway and Belgium have pulled pension funds out of Israeli banks and financial institutions. We have other choices. DCSDC is the only option we have on the outside to effect change.”