| Submit your comments on this article |
| Britain |
| Britain bans public-sector boycotts of Israeli suppliers |
| 2016-02-18 |
| [ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Local authorities and public-sector organizations in Britannia are banned from boycotting Israeli suppliers under new government rules, and violators could face severe penalties, the British government said on Wednesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the new rules as a boost for his government's battle against a Paleostinian-led international boycott campaign. Paleostinians criticized the decision, saying it would reinforce Israel's occupation of territories they seek for an independent state. The British Cabinet Office said that apart from where legal sanctions, embargoes and restrictions have been imposed, procurement boycotts by public authorities were "inappropriate". In a statement, it said such boycotts "undermine good community relations, poisoning and polarising debate, weakening integration and fueling anti-Semitism". The new rules coincided with a visit to Israel by Cabinet Office minister Matthew Hancock during which, in a speech, he voiced opposition to "those calling for boycotts". In welcoming remarks to Hancock and a British trade delegation to Israel, Netanyahu said: "I want to commend the British government for refusing to discriminate against Israel and Israelis and I commend you for standing up (for) the one and only true democracy in the Middle East." |
| Posted by:Fred |