Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, has argued that boycott campaigns against Israel, such as the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS)
movement, contribute to "appalling" antisemitic rhetoric and abuse. In response, Gove plans to introduce legislation on Monday that would prevent local councils from divesting from the Jewish state and block public bodies from boycotting any foreign government or territory.
Under the proposed bill, offenders could face significant fines, and ministers would be granted powers to investigate suspected breaches of the ban. Gove believes that it is inappropriate for public bodies to pursue their own foreign policy agendas at the expense of taxpayers' time and money. He asserts that such campaigns not only undermine the UK's foreign policy but also fuel antisemitic sentiment.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Gove stated, "That is why we have taken this decisive action to stop these disruptive policies once and for all. My message to these organizations is to get on with your job and focus on delivering for the public."
Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch also reaffirmed the government's commitment to the proposed legislation during an event held by the Israeli embassy. She stated, "This government will ban public bodies from pursuing boycott, divestment, and sanctions activities, including at universities and local authorities."
The BDS movement, an international campaign that advocates for cutting economic and cultural ties with Israel, has prompted motions of boycotting produce from "illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank" by councils such as Leicester, Swansea, and Gwynedd. The Conservative Party's 2019 manifesto pledged to prevent local authorities from adopting their own approaches to international relations.
The link between BDS activities and antisemitism has been previously highlighted, with former Communities Minister Robert Jenrick stating, "Successive studies have shown the single best statistical predictor of anti-Jewish hostility is the amount of BDS activity."
While the proposed legislation has garnered support from the Board of Deputies and the Jewish community, concerns have been raised among critics, including the chief rabbi, who argues that BDS does not contribute to advancing peace. The bill aims to ensure a consistent approach to foreign policy, with the UK government setting the standards, while curbing activities that specifically target Israel and disrupt local communities. Photo by Quinn Dombrowski from Berkeley, USA, Wikimedia commons.