UK anti-BDS bill could cause 'greater anti-semitism' by singling out Israel, MP warns

British Conservative Party MP Flick Drummond has expressed concern over the UK government’s anti-BDS bill set to be debated in parliament during its second reading on Monday.

In her weekly newsletter published on Friday, the MP stated that one of her biggest fears is that “it will lead to greater antisemitism not less by singling out Israel, the Occupied Territories, and Golan Heights as exceptions”.

Her statements refer to clause 3 section 7 of the bill, the anti-BDS clause, which future-proofs against any potential exemption allowing for the criticism or boycott of Israel due to its activities on illegally occupied territory by public bodies.

She also stated that she had met with both the Secretary of State Michael Gove, who introduced the bill, and the Chief Whip of the Conservative Party to express her concerns over the legislation.

The statement comes after parliamentary briefings were held by activist groups such as Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and Human Rights Watch on Wednesday to inform MPs about the consequences of the bill.

The PSC’s briefing proposes several recommendations for MPs, including that they “vote against the government’s anti-boycott bill… promote the ability of public bodies to make ethical investment and procurement decisions… actively reject and call out misinformation about the movement for Palestinian rights”.

Numerous MPs from across parliament have come out against the bill, entitled the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill, with many producing videos to air their criticisms.

They join a broad coalition of pro-Palestinian and human rights groups that have condemned the bill and have vowed to fight the bill, even if it passes through parliament.