Israel parliament approves travel ban for foreign supporters of BDS movement

Unclear whether law will apply to politicians who support boycott of settlements, including Jeremy Corbyn

The boycott movement has gained thousands of supporters around the world (AFP/Getty Images)

Israel’s parliament has approved a new law banning anyone found to support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement from entering the country.

The bill, proposed by the pro-settlement Jewish Home party, comes after a human rights organisation had a visa denied for spreading “Palestinian propaganda” and warnings from the UN over a crackdown on activists.

It applies to any activist “who knowingly issues a public call for boycotting Israel that, given the content of the call and the circumstances in which it was issued, has a reasonable possibility of leading to the imposition of a boycott – if the issuer was aware of this possibility”.

Pro-Palestinian BDS movement supporters take part in a rally in central London (PA) (Isabel Infantes/PA)

It also bans entry visas and residency rights for those who call for boycotts of Israeli institutions in any “area under its control”, including Jewish settlements in the West Bank that are regarded as illegal under international law.

The bill allows for exceptions to be made by the interior ministry, but it was unclear whether foreign politicians, academics and journalists would be turned away at the border.

Jeremy Corbyn could be among dozens of British MPs affected by the law after making statements in partial support of the BDS movement.

A spokesperson for the Labour leader told The Independent: “As Jeremy made clear last summer, he is not in favour of the academic or cultural boycott of Israel or a blanket boycott of Israeli goods.

“He does support targeted boycotts aimed at undermining the existence of illegal settlements in the West Bank.”

Hannah Weisfeld, the director of British Jewish organisation Yachad, said there were concerns regular visitors with relatives in Israel could be caught up in the ban.

“Whilst BDS does not attract significant or mainstream support within Jewish communities, there is a live debate about the settlements with, according to research, the overwhelming majority of the community in UK believing the settlements are a barrier to peace,” she told The Independent.

“Within that majority, there are certainly individuals who boycott settlements either publicly or privately, and it is unclear at present whether they may be caught up in this new legislation.”

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office updated its travel advice to warn of the new law, saying it allowed Israeli authorities to “deny entry to foreign nationals who have publicly called for a boycott of Israel, or who belong to an organisation which has called for a boycott”.

The guidance also warns that British nationals of Palestinian origin “may face problems” and that all arrivals at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv should expect lengthy personal questioning and searches that can result in a restricted visa or 10-year travel ban.

Several British councils and institutions have boycotted products produced in Israeli settlements but the Cabinet Office issued a memorandum last year saying that apart from where legal sanctions and embargoes have been imposed, procurement restrictions by public authorities were “inappropriate”.

The new bill is aimed at combating support for the international BDS movement, which lobbies corporations, artists and academic institutions to sever ties with Israel.

Supporters say they are using non-violent means to promote the struggle for independence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and combat human rights abuses.

But Israeli politicians have argued the campaign goes beyond fighting the occupation and often masks a more far-reaching aim to delegitimise or destroy the Jewish state.

Politicians from the Jewish Home party hailed the new law, with education minister Naftali Bennett saying it “allows Israel to protect itself against conspirators”.

Bezalel Smotrich, another party member, said: “What does this law say, after all? A healthy person who loves those who love him and hates those who hate him doesn't turn the other cheek.”

But Tamar Zandberg, from Israel's left-wing Meretz party, criticised the bill, calling it a “law that is against freedom of expression, that constitutes political censorship and is meant to silence people”.

Haaretz quoted her as saying: ”It's ostensibly against the boycotters of Israel but it doesn't make a distinction between Israel and the settlements and it thus serves the BDS movement.“

Pro-Palestinian activists already accuse Israel of discriminatory entry checks, saying people of Arab descent are more likely to be questioned or turned away at the airport.

A senior lecturer at the School of Oriental and African Studies was among at least 115 British citizens refused entry to Israel last year.

Lawyers said visitors who have joined pro-Palestinian demonstrations, supported the BDS movement on social media or critiqued the Israeli government elsewhere have been denied entry to the country.

Those being interrogated may be asked to name their Palestinian contacts, or give over the Facebook account details, allowing Israeli officials to search their friend lists, communications, comments and event history.

Two United Nations experts called on Israel to respect the rights and freedoms of human rights activists in the Occupied Palestinian Territories earlier this month, saying groups were facing increasing restrictions.

“Israel has an obligation under international law to protect human rights defenders and promote their work,” said the Special Rapporteurs, after finding peaceful protesters had been tear gassed and shot with rubber bullets.

“However, it appears that Israel’s latest actions are instead targeting these activists and undermining their efforts to defend others.”