The Israeli parliament
has passed a controversial law that will punish any Israeli individual
or organisation boycotting West Bank settlements.
Rights groups say the legislation stifles freedom of speech and compromises Israeli democracy.
After failed attempts to delay debate, it was voted through 47-36.
It follows several Israeli calls to boycott institutions or
individuals linked to Jewish settlements on occupied Palestinian land.
The settlements are deemed illegal under international law,
although Israel disputes this. Recent peace talks with the Palestinians
were derailed over the issue of continued building in settlements.
The Palestinians want the West Bank as part of a future state.
Among the recent initiatives that angered settlers and their
influential political patrons was a pledge by Israeli academics and
artists to boycott the West Bank settlement of Ariel.
Israeli developers also agreed not to use products or
services from settlements when they signed on to help build a new modern
Palestinian city, north of Ramallah.
Under the new law those who sponsor a “geographically based
boycott” – which includes any part of the Jewish state or its
settlements – could be sued for damages in a civil court by the party
injured in the boycott call.
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