Knesset approves boycott law

Occupied Jerusalem: Israel's right-leaning parliament approved a hotly disputed law Monday that will penalise those who organise or publicly endorse political boycotts against the country, including campaigns directed at Israeli universities, colonies and businesses in the West Bank.

Critics, including several prominent Israeli politicians, newspaper columnists and the parliament's legal adviser, questioned whether the law will withstand Supreme Court challenge, saying it likely violates the right of free speech and free expression.

Under the new law, which was approved by a vote of 47-38 in the Knesset, any boycott against Israel — including those organised by groups inside the country and in the West Bank — will be deemed to be a civil offence, such as libel or defamation.

Anyone targeted by such a boycott could file a civil lawsuit and seek financial damage from those who initiated or publicly supported it.

For example, the new Ariel performance centre in the West Bank could sue artists who sign petitions against appearing at the facility as a way to protest the Israeli occupation of the territory.

Pay damages

Activists who organise a campaign to discourage consumers from buying wine produced in the Golan Heights, which Israel seized from Syria in 1967, could be forced to pay damages to the winery.

Palestinian leaders said passage of the law is a sign that Israel's government is not serious about withdrawing from the West Bank in order to create a Palestinian state.

The measure "sends a clear message that Israel is not committed to a two-state solution," said Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.

Other critics said the law silences opposing political viewpoints, saying that under the regulation's broad language, even a Facebook comment expressing support for a boycott could trigger liability.

"I oppose boycotts, but this law is not good, not just, not constitutional and intended to prevent legitimate political debate in Israel," opposition leader Tzipi Livni said.

The law's supporters, who include Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said it would stem the tide of "de-legitimisation" of Israel and allow targets of boycotts to fight back.

"The law contains the checks needed in a democratic country to balance between the desire for freedom of expression and the individual's right to positions and criticism of government policy, while at the same time protecting the right of an individual or institution not to be done in by political elements," said Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan.

Analysts say the law appears aimed at left-wing Israeli groups and pro-Palestinian activists who in recent years have organised economic, cultural and academic boycotts against Israel in protest over its colony policy in the West Bank.

Punishing individuals

Actions have included campaigns to discourage American rock stars from holding concerts in Israel, academic boycotts of Israeli universities and campaigns against Israeli-owned factories operating in the West Bank.

The law does not make such boycotts a crime, but it allows the government to punish individuals or groups who support or participate in such campaigns by banning them from receiving government contracts or enjoying certain tax benefits.

The law follows other controversial measures adopted over the past year, including a law that legalised the use of "admissions committees" that can reject would-be residents of certain small towns based upon their social "suitability," a term that opponents fear will be used to screen out Arabs.

Another law allows the government to withhold funding from certain groups or local municipalities that commemorate so-called Nakba Day, which marks the displacement of about 700,000 Palestinians during Israel's creation in 1948.