From the transatlantic slave trade to apartheid South Africa, the non-violent tactics of boycotts, divestment and sanctions have long proved effective methods of peaceful resistance against oppressive regimes. But the British government is trying to take these invaluable tools away. Today, for the first time, it is tabling the ‘Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill’, or ‘anti-BDS Bill’. On 14th June, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch MP confirmed that the government was moving ahead with this legislation during her speech at the Israeli Embassy. Badenoch's choice of the Israeli Embassy to announce this confirms that the ‘anti-BDS Bill’ aims to restrict the rights of those who demand that Israel complies with international law and ends its human rights abuses and colonisation in Palestine.  

We must protect the rights to BDS, not only to stand in solidarity with Palestine but also to uphold human rights globally.

The ‘anti-BDS Bill’, if passed, would immediately make it illegal for public bodies, such as local councils and universities, to withdraw investment (divest) from Israel. In the future, government bodies will also be prohibited from boycotting or divesting from human rights-abusing countries.

After the passing of the anti-BDS Bill, individuals may still retain their right to boycott and divest. However, this legislation will intimidate and marginalise individuals, effectively encroaching upon their democratic rights. There are genuine fears that this will pave the way for criminalising the individual right to BDS in the UK.

This is a flagrant assault on the democratic right of public bodies to make ethical decisions. Its impact would extend beyond Palestine, impeding the rights of individuals and public bodies to express their views on a whole range of social, economic and climate justice issues. It will make it very difficult, if not soon illegal, to champion Uyghur rights and workers rights, and to stand up against child exploitation, modern slavery and deforestation.

 The anti-BDS Bill is part of the government’s wide-ranging crackdown on the right to expression, as seen recently in the Public Order Act, the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act, the Nationality and Borders Act and anti-strike legislation.

 In a free society, public bodies must retain the freedom to make ethical choices, including boycotting and divesting from countries and companies complicit in human rights abuses.

 So what can we do about it? One year ago this month FOA led a petition to Downing Street, in coalition with Stop the War Coalition, Liberal Democrats Friends of Palestine, Conservative Friends of Palestine and others. We urged the Prime Minister to abandon the Bill with immediate effect. This initiative demonstrated the widespread support for defending the right to BDS in the UK.

 Since then, a collection of 60 civil society groups including trade unions, charities, NGOs, campaigning and solidarity organisations have launched a #RightToBoycott campaign. 

 The next crucial step against this draconian legislation lies in reaching out to our MPs. We must email and Tweet them to remind them that BDS is a peaceful, legitimate form of protest that aims to challenge injustice. Let’s ensure that they understand the importance of defending the right to BDS and urge them to oppose the Bill.

 Now is the time to act. Failure to do so will eventually jeopardise our individual right to advocate for justice in the future. By standing up for BDS, we uphold the principles of justice, freedom and equality.

 Take action today by contacting your MP, expressing your concerns, and urging them to oppose the 'anti-BDS Bill'.