UK’s controversial anti-boycott bill passes despite pro-Palestinian protests

LONDON (AA) – A bill seeking to ban public bodies boycotting Israel has been passed in the UK’s House of Commons, despite protests by Palestine supporters outside Parliament.

The Anti-Boycott Bill was passed by 282 to 235, with 279 Conservative Party MPs, two independent MPs and 1 member of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party voting in favor of the bill.

If the bill is accepted after being discussed in the House of Lords, it will be submitted to King Charles III for approval. The House of Lords could also send the bill to the House of Commons for reconsideration.

Proponents of the bill say it prevents anti-Semitism, while opponents say it gives Israel the green light to continue its genocidal onslaught in Gaza.

– Protest outside parliament –

Gathered in front of Parliament, protesters demonstrated against the bill, formally known as the Public Bodies’ Economic Activities (Overseas) Bill.

Em Hilton, founder of Na’amod, a movement led by British Jews seeking to end their community’s support of Israeli occupation of the West Bank, addressed the protesters.

He said the UK government is making efforts to suppress those showing solidarity with Palestinians and limiting the right to protest.

Hilton further said the bill, introduced during Israel’s onslaught on Gaza, aims to suppress solidarity with Palestine.

He emphasized the importance of combating anti-Semitism but criticized using pressure on the Palestinian solidarity movement as the solution.

Hilton said that undemocratic laws will not guarantee security, highlighting that securing Gaza and building apartheid walls are not “viable” solutions.

He reiterated that a cease-fire could have spared thousands of lives.

-‘Israel an apartheid state’ –

Natalie Bennett, member of the House of Lords, said that the Green party, of which she is a member, will oppose the bill.

Bennett said: “Public institutions are asked to act in accordance with British foreign policy. We say ‘No’. We will act by human rights and democracy.”

John Finucane, one of the MPs of Sinn Fein in the British Parliament, who is pro-union with the Republic of Ireland, recalled that Ireland and Sinn Fein are in solidarity with the Palestinians.

Finucane stated that Ireland implemented a boycott of apartheid South African goods in 1987. “Israel is an apartheid state and should be treated as such,” he said.

Amnesty International earlier called on parliamentarians to address the Gaza blockade, halt arms transfers to Israel, and support the International Criminal Court’s investigation into human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.