THE UK Government is “encouraging antisemitism” and stifling freedom of speech by pushing through legislation to ban public bodies from boycotting Israel, one of the UK’s most senior Jewish MPs has said.
“But I don’t speak on my own, I know that I speak in the name of thousands of Jews in Britain I would simply ask the minister and please, please withdraw this nasty bill and come back in the autumn with a properly considered proposal that can be accepted by us all at this time.” Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell accused the Government of an assault on freedom of speech and argued the bill was “unconservative” as it would restrict people’s rights to decide what to do with their private property because it would stop members of local government pension schemes from divesting in Israel.
Former minister Michael Ellis also claimed bodies such as local councils and their members were not equipped to understand the “nuances” of foreign policy. Malthouse added: “There is no requirement in law for this carve out to exist. Were amendment seven to be passed, the impact of the bill would be precisely the same on a daily basis, Israel would merely be treated as all other countries in the world would be treated for the purposes of our legislation.”
“An essential cornerstone of British policy supported across this house and indeed at the UN is support for a two-state solution as a viable long-term solution to give Israelis and Palestinians the recognition and security that they deserve.“Not only does the wording of this bill call into question the long-standing position of the UK in supporting a two-state solution, it runs counter to the UN resolutions.
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