Israel boycott laws attack on freedom of expression

By Amnesty International

A law adopted by the isrælske the Knesset (Parliament) makes it a punishable offence to call for a boycott against the State of Israel or its West Bank settlements Gets a chilling methods effect on freedom of speech in Israel, said Amnesty International today.

Controversial law, passed Monday evening, makes it a civil offence to require an economic, cultural and academic boycott of persons or institutions in Israel or the occupied Palestinian territories (OPT) for political reasons. Anyone making such calls could be faced with a lawsuit and other financial penalties.

Sponsors of the Bill, originally proposed in July 2010, Knesset member and coalition Chairman since Elkin, has made it clear that one of the main objectives of the legislation is to punish them by using the boycott call to campaign against Isræls illegal settlements in the OPT or highlight the ongoing violations of Palestinian rights caused by the settlements.

"Despite proponents claim the contrary, this law is a blatant attempt to stifle peaceful dissent and campaign by attacking the right to freedom of expression, as all Governments must maintain," said Philip Luther, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

"The broad definition of boycott could apply to anyone seeking to use this non-violent means of disagreement to criticise any single person or institution involved in human rights violations or violations of international law in Israel or the occupied Palestinian territories."

Promoted and supported by the Government, the law was Netanyanhu adopted by 47 votes to 36, although the top legal advisors of the Knesset and Isræls the Attorney General said it was "borderline illegal". More isrælske human rights NGOs have indicated that they plan to challenge the law in the Isræls High Court of Justice.

Parties filing lawsuits would not have to prove that a call to boycott has resulted in actual damages, which the courts can order persons or organisations are calling for a boycott to pay compensation regardless of the damage caused.

The law also allows the minister of finance to revoke tax-exempt status for NGOs are calling for a boycott, which threatens funding on as many isrælske human rights NGOs chairs. Enterprises or organisations participating in a boycott could also be disqualified from applying for public contracts.

This is only one of many laws recently adopted or are considered by the Knesset, which has been criticized by isrælske human rights NGOs for restriction of freedom of expression, in isrælske civil society organizations or the Palestinian citizens and their political representatives ' rights.

Isræls policy of establishing settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, violating the Fourth Geneva Convention and is considered a war crime, according to the Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Amnesty International has repeatedly urged the isrælske authorities to terminate the settlement construction as a first step towards fully remove illegal isrælske settlements from the occupied Palestinian territories.

Amnesty International has taken no position on the boycott throughout the world, but fear that this law will lead to violations of the right to freedom of expression of those who call for the boycott.

(Amnesty International UK. Press Release; 12 July 2011.)