March 6, 2017 – Today the Knesset passed a new law barring entry from boycott supporters. It is important to note that the law bans entry not only from those boycotting Israel but also from those boycotting settlement products. The law states that entry will not be permitted for those calling for boycott as it is defined in the 2011 “Law Preventing Harm to the State of Israel by Means of Boycott,” according to which a boycott against the State of Israel is defined as: “deliberately avoiding economic, cultural or academic ties with another person or body solely because of their affinity with the State of Israel, one of its institutions or an area under its control, in such a way that may cause economic, cultural or academic damage.”
Peace Now: “The law passed by the Knesset today is neither Jewish nor democratic. The law will ban Jews as well as others supporting two states by boycotting settlement products from entering Israel, and clearly violate freedom of expression. Through this law the Bennetyahu government will not prevent boycott but rather, deteriorate Israel’s international standing and lead Israel towards international isolation.”
Peace Now is the largest and longest-standing Israeli movement advocating for peace through public pressure. www.peacenow.org.il