• THE Conservative manifesto proposes to turn the screw more tightly against the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) campaign opposing Israel’s violation of Palestinian human rights.

Their manifesto commits the party to banning BDS by local councils. The policy will cover boycotts of products or divestment from pension funds connected to foreign states.

The government previously published “procurement guidance” against such boycotts. The manifesto now proposes a bill to provide a “far firmer statutory basis”.

Public bodies that respond to the call for BDS will be subject to judicial review if they refuse to follow the Tory guidelines.

The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions campaign was called for by the Palestinian leadership in 2005 to fight against Israel’s occupation and colonisation of Palestinian land; the discrimination against Palestinian citizens of Israel; and the denial of Palestinian refugees’ right to return to their homeland.

Inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement, BDS calls for action to pressure Israel to comply with international law. Anyone wishing to support Palestinian rights should, therefore, avoid voting Tory.

SABBY SAGALL
GEOFF LEE
HELENA AKSENTIJEVIC
STEPHEN KAPOS
PAUL O’BRIEN
ROBERT BOYCE