Israel bans European politicians for supporting non-violent BDS movement

Israel banned a group of European politicians planning to visit later this month over their alleged support for a movement to boycott illegal Israeli settlements.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab & agencies

14 November, 2017

The BDS movement aims to pressure Israel to adhere to international law [AFP]

Israel banned a group of European politicians planning to visit later this month over their alleged support for a movement to boycott illegal Israeli settlements.

Israeli Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said the officials "actively support" the Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) movement.

An Interior Ministry statement says the group planned to visit Marwan Barghouti, a Palestinian resistance leader who led the country's largest mass hunger strike in April.

He led a 40-day hunger strike on April 17 with 1,600 prisoners participating and only ingesting water and salt.

The international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement aims to pressure Israel to adhere to international law and human rights by lobbying various states, institutions and personas to understand its oppression of Palestinians and take action as a result.

BDS operates by pressuring corporations, artists and academic institutions to sever ties with Israel with supporters saying activities are aimed at promoting a Palestinian statehood.

However Israel claims the non-violent movement seeks the eventual elimination of the Jewish state.