On Monday (July 11) the Israeli Knesset passed a new law (47 to 38) that penalizes organizations or individuals who boycott Israel or the Israeli Settlements. According to the new law, organizations being boycotted can now sue an organization or person who called for the boycott, without having to prove sustained damage. The law has stirred up a heated debate within Israel as to the nature of the law and what it means. Sides are being formed on what the passage of the law says for issues like free speech and nationalism. Of particular worry is how human rights organizations within Israel, who are seen as being critical of Israel and opposed to the settlements, might be affected.
For more information, check out the following sources:
- Israel passes law banning calls for boycott (Ha’aretz)
- The boycott law is unconstitutional and undemocratic (Ha’aretz)
- Netanyahu: Boycott law reflects democracy in Israel (Ha’aretz)
- The anti-boycott law harms freedom of expression and targets nonviolent political opposition to the Occupation (Various Israeli Human Rights Groups)
