Will you call on Keir Starmer to stop the anti-boycott bill?

Yesterday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, announced a general election for Thursday 4 July. We are going to make Palestine a major issue in this election like never before. Over the coming weeks we will send you actions and resources to challenge candidates and parties to stand up for Palestinian rights.  

We start today by asking you to write to Keir Starmer, calling on him to block any last-minute attempt to push through the toxic anti-boycott bill before parliament closes. Will you call on Keir Starmer to stop the anti-boycott bill?

This is a big test for Labour. As soon as a general election is called, the government tries to rush through remaining legislation which will otherwise fall when parliament is dissolved. To do this, it needs agreement from the opposition front bench to speed up the normal parliamentary process.  

We are close to a major victory for BDS campaigners. The order paper for tomorrow has already been published and it does not include the anti-boycott bill! But in recent months, we have seen parliamentary rules torn up at short notice to block a motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. We cannot leave anything to chance.

With just one day left, the draconian anti-boycott bill, which aims to shield Israel from democratic criticism over human rights abuses and violations of international law, can now only pass if Keir Starmer is willing to help to push it through.  

The anti-boycott bill would prevent public bodies – such as local councils, universities, and public-sector pension funds – from making ethical choices about spending and investment. The government’s main aim is to shut down campaigns against Israel’s violations of Palestinian rights, but other movements who use boycott or divestment tactics will also be impacted. Had this legislation been in place during the 1980s, it would have forced local authorities and British universities to do business with apartheid South Africa.  

PSC has led a broad coalition of over 70 civil society organisations, including Unite the Union, UNISON, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Liberty, the Quakers, the Methodist Church, the Muslim Association of Britain and Na’amod: UK Jews Against the Occupation – calling on MPs to vote against this dangerous proposal.

Now we have the chance to ensure that it never becomes law.

The anti-boycott bill threatens to erode local democracy, restrict freedom of expression, and undermine campaigns for social and climate justice.  

Tell Keir Starmer to block this anti-democratic bill as we head into the general election campaign.

In solidarity,

Peter

Deputy Director, PSC