We’ve just defeated the government’s toxic anti-boycott bill!

The anti-boycott bill, which sought to prevent public bodies from making ethical investment and spending decisions including by cutting ties with companies complicit in Israeli apartheid, will not become law.  

This huge victory that demonstrates the strength of our movement for freedom and justice for Palestinians. Israel’s allies in Parliament believed they could push through a law which would have shielded Israel from accountability. They faced mass opposition from our movement for justice, and we won.

Thank you to all PSC supporters who fought against the bill, whether through lobbying your MP by email or in-person, protesting outside Parliament, or through working to oppose the bill in your trade union.  

Now the anti-boycott bill has been defeated, we must escalate our campaigning for public bodies, including universities and councils, to end their ties with companies enabling Israel’s genocidal assault on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Write to your Councillors to demand they take action for Palestine, including by advocating for divestment from companies complicit in Israel’s attacks.

The government did not simply run out of time: it failed to get this draconian legislation through in the face of fierce opposition. PSC was proud to convene and lead a broad coalition of more than 70 civil society organisations, made up of trade unions, charities, NGOs, faith, climate justice, human rights, and solidarity groups, in opposition to the bill.   

We must now ramp up our campaigning for public bodies to end their complicity in Israel’s regime of oppression. On Saturday 15 June we will be holding a national divestment day of action calling on local councils, universities and other institutions to divest funds from companies complicit in Israeli apartheid.

Palestinians are clear that divestment campaigns targeting companies that enable and facilitate the violence that they face are a meaningful and effective way of showing solidarity with their struggle for freedom and liberation.

Write to your Councillors to demand they take action for Palestine.

As a State Party to the Genocide Convention, the UK has a binding obligation to employ all means reasonably available to prevent and deter further genocidal acts by Israel.

This means that Councils must refrain from procuring from, or investing funds they administer in, companies enabling genocidal acts, such as arms companies supplying weapons and military technology used by Israel in its relentless attacks on Palestinians.   

Email your Councillors today and demand they take action.

Thank you for everything that you do.

In solidarity,

Lewis

Campaigns Officer, PSC