NEWS FLASH

Israel Passes Controversial Anti Boycott Bill Amidst Heated Debate In Knesset | The Knesset — Israel’s parliament — passed into law a bill allowing citizens to seek civil damages against individuals or organizations that campaign for economic, cultural, or academic boycotts against Israel or the settlements. Passage of the bill marks a major setback for the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to pressure Israel to recognize Palestinian sovereignty and end the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Nitzan Horowitz, a member of the Knesset from the Meretz party, blasted the law. “We are dealing with a legislation that is an embarrassment to Israeli democracy and makes people around the world wonder if there is actually democracy here,” he said.