Jeremy Corbyn could be barred from Israel and West Bank under new law against supporters of boycotts
RAF SANCHEZ in Jerusalem
Jeremy Corbyn and other prominent British critics of Israel could be barred from visiting the Jewish state under a new law aimed at supporters of boycotts against Israel and Israeli settlements.
The controversial legislation allows the Israeli government to deny entry to foreigners who call for academic, cultural or economic boycotts against Israel or its settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The Labour leader has said in the past that he supports “targeted boycotts aimed at undermining the existence of illegal settlements in the West Bank” and so could fall foul of the new rules.
Other prominent boycott supporters like Roger Waters, the co-founder of Pink Floyd, Ken Loach, the film director, and Riz Ahmed, the actor, could also be barred as well as many British academics and activists.
Roger Waters (2nd from left) is a prominent British supporter of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign CREDIT: REUTERS
The law would also effectively stop boycott supporters from visiting Palestinian cities in the West Bank as they would need to pass through Israeli border controls even if they entered the occupied territory through neighbouring Jordan.
The legislation was supported by Benjamin Netanyahu’s Right-wing government and is mainly targeted at activists in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, which aims to “end international support for Israel’s oppression of Palestinians”.
Critics of the movement argue that it unfairly singles out Israel and is actually aimed at delegitimising the Jewish state rather than supporting the Palestinians.
Mr Corbyn has been a long-time critic of Israeli policies in the West Bank and has spoken out forcefully against Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal by most of the international community.
ER recommends other articles by The Telegraph
featured photo credit: STEFAN ROUSSEAU / PA WIRE/PA IMAGES
