israel passes law to punish those who boycott israel

[bud]

The Israeli parliament has passed a controversial law that will punish any Israeli individual or organisation boycotting West Bank settlements.

Rights groups say the legislation stifles freedom of speech and compromises Israeli democracy.

After failed attempts to delay debate, it was voted through 47-36.

It follows several Israeli calls to boycott institutions or individuals linked to Jewish settlements on occupied Palestinian land.

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israel is in the hands of extremists who continue to compromise its democracy. lets see if the israeli supreme court will stand up for democracy or give in to the extremist government.

Edited July 11, 2011 by bud

[Shady]

What's your problem? Israel is causing economic hardship to people that are causing them economic hardship. Don't start a trade war if you're not prepared to face the consequences.

[Remiel]

This is the Ha'aretz description of the law:

According to the law, a person or an organization calling for the boycott of Israel, including the settlements, can be sued by the boycott's targets without having to prove that they sustained damage. The court will then decide how much compensation is to be paid. The second part of the law says a person or a company that declare a boycott of Israel or the settlements will not be able to bid in government tenders.

The second part of the law is questionable, but the real problem is obviously the first part. Allowing for people to be sued without actual harm having been done is dangerously outrageous. And if fact, Shady, given that your justification is that Israel is having economic hardship placed upon it, I would think you would agree that one ought to, at the very least, be able to show that economic hardship in order to take advantage of such a law.

[bud]

What's your problem? Israel is causing economic hardship to people that are causing them economic hardship. Don't start a trade war if you're not prepared to face the consequences.

not sure how i can respond to a question from someone who didn't take a second to read the article to know that this is intended towards israeli people who have boycotted the settlements.

Among the recent initiatives that angered settlers and their influential political patrons was a pledge by Israeli academics and artists to boycott the West Bank settlement of Ariel.

Israeli developers also agreed not to use products or services from settlements when they signed on to help build a new modern Palestinian city, north of Ramallah.

Under the new law those who sponsor a "geographically based boycott" - which includes any part of the Jewish state or its settlements - could be sued for damages in a civil court by the party injured in the boycott call.

The petitioner is not required to prove that "economic, cultural or academic damage" was caused, only that it could reasonably be expected from the move.

"The State of Israel has for years been dealing with boycotts from Arab nations, but now we are talking about a homegrown boycott," said the author of the legislation, lawmaker, Zeev Elvin, the Associated Press news agency reported.

i hope the post is not above your word count limit.

[Saipan]

The Israeli parliament has passed a controversial law that will punish any Israeli individual or organisation boycotting West Bank settlements.

Rights groups say the legislation stifles freedom of speech and compromises Israeli democracy.

After failed attempts to delay debate, it was voted through 47-36.

It follows several Israeli calls to boycott institutions or individuals linked to Jewish settlements on occupied Palestinian land.

link

israel is in the hands of extremists who continue to compromise its democracy. lets see if the israeli supreme court will stand up for democracy or give in to the extremist government.

So what's wrong with boycotting the boycotters?

Long live democracy!

[Guest American Woman]

israel is in the hands of extremists who continue to compromise its democracy. lets see if the israeli supreme court will stand up for democracy or give in to the extremist government.

Your concern for Israel being in the hands of extremists and treating it's people unfairly is truly touching.

[Bob]

Your concern for Israel being in the hands of extremists and treating it's people unfairly is truly touching.

Seriously. As if this isn't just another smear attempt. And as if bud said anything when Fatah and Hamas were killing each other in 2005/2006 in Gaza. Although this new law is a step in the wrong direction, it's the Palestinians and broader Arab societies that are light-years behind with respect o providing real freedom and liberty to people. I wonder when bud will comment on more serious deficiencies in democracy in non-Jewish majority countries....

Edited July 12, 2011 by Bob

[bud]

Seriously. As if this isn't just another smear attempt. And as if bud said anything when Fatah and Hamas were killing each other in 2005/2006 in Gaza. Although this new law is a step in the wrong direction, it's the Palestinians and broader Arab societies that are light-years behind with respect o providing real freedom and liberty to people. I wonder when bud will comment on more serious deficiencies in democracy in non-Jewish majority countries....

there you go lowering the bar again.

no one claims that those countries are democracies. no one here is excusing their actions. neither of those states are being openly supported by the western governments.

all said, you made some progress. you were able to acknowledge that the law is a step in the wrong direction, even though you tried to excuse it by comparing it to 'arab societies'.

[bud]

ever since bibi has come to power israel is looking more and more like a fascist state:

Israel’s interior minister seeks to extend ban on family unification

Order stipulates that unification between Israeli citizens and Palestinian partners to be prohibited

link

[Oleg Bach]

How are they going to punish everbody that might not like the policy? Will the big dogs get on the phone with every Jewish lawyer on the planet and instruct them to screw any client that has even a hint of the smell of sympathy for Palistine?

[bud]

How are they going to punish everbody that might not like the policy? Will the big dogs get on the phone with every Jewish lawyer on the planet and instruct them to screw any client that has even a hint of the smell of sympathy for Palistine?

there are several organizations within israel that list products to boycott. with this new law, those organizations and anyone else promoting these boycotts can be punished.

this law was passed in order to appease the extreme right wing settlement parties within bibi's coalition. without their support, his party would collapse.

Edited July 14, 2011 by bud

[Oleg Bach]

there are several organizations within israel that list products to boycott. with this new law, those organizations and anyone else promoting these boycotts can be punished.

this law was passed in order to appease the extreme right wing settlement parties within bibi's coalition. without their support, his party would collapse.

They run the place as if it were old Chicago...Instead of big Al they have big Moshe. So much power mongering and the pushing around of citizens from with in and with out. As for having some effect in a list of products to boycott...For God's sake how much can tiny Isreal import let alone boycott? Sounds like posturing to me.

[bud]

They run the place as if it were old Chicago...Instead of big Al they have big Moshe. So much power mongering and the pushing around of citizens from with in and with out. As for having some effect in a list of products to boycott...For God's sake how much can tiny Isreal import let alone boycott? Sounds like posturing to me.

not much, but the economic boycotts from abroad and from the palestinians have made a major impact on the settlement economy. there is also the increasing cultural boycotts by artists from within israel and from abroad.

[Oleg Bach]

not much, but the economic boycotts from abroad and from the palestinians have made a major impact on the settlement economy. there is also the increasing cultural boycotts by artists from within israel and from abroad.

Firstly terms like "settlement economy" should be tossed aside. Just does not sound good. Boycotts by artists really does not mean much other than to the successful and afluent arts community. Those people should go to Israel and perform in an attempt to change the hearts and minds of those that need it - but _ I am sure they are not that good at what they do other than have influence...over the mass that has no real effect. As for PUNISHMENT - Israel should realize that they are not the worlds patriarchal force that can or should punish - every approach seems to be advesarial. Maybe they should attempt to follow few of the Raboni's suggestions like forgiveness and get on with living.

[bud]

Firstly terms like "settlement economy" should be tossed aside. Just does not sound good. Boycotts by artists really does not mean much other than to the successful and afluent arts community. Those people should go to Israel and perform in an attempt to change the hearts and minds of those that need it - but _ I am sure they are not that good at what they do other than have influence...over the mass that has no real effect. As for PUNISHMENT - Israel should realize that they are not the worlds patriarchal force that can or should punish - every approach seems to be advesarial. Maybe they should attempt to follow few of the Raboni's suggestions like forgiveness and get on with living.

the israeli courts may strike the anti-boycott law down, especially with the huge opposition to it right now.

regarding cultural boycotts; the beginning of the end of apartheid south africa started with cultural boycotts. a boycott by the musician/group sends a message to the fans both in israel and brings the issue more into the spotlight.

[M.Dancer]

regarding cultural boycotts; the beginning of the end of apartheid south africa started with cultural boycotts.

Really? Which came first, Little Stevie or the trade embargoes?

[Oleg Bach]

Wonder if this will go on for another forty years? I hope not - but values and ideas are passed from father to son and daughter..and on it goes...will it never end? Peace process this! Palistine that! Flotilla this! Incrusion that! Bus bombings Hammas The Muslim brother hood - the Jewish lobby - on and on and on ---------------if we took this all away I wonder what they would do with themselves - maybe get jobs?

[jacee]

there are several organizations within israel that list products to boycott. with this new law, those organizations and anyone else promoting these boycotts can be punished.

So much for the 'free market' concept. Where's the right wing who usually defends it?

this law was passed in order to appease the extreme right wing settlement parties within bibi's coalition. without their support, his party would collapse.

Oh I see . . . The right wing defends the free market only until free choice impinges on their ideology. I trust the "academics" and others participating in boycotts will avail themselves fully of the law, their chapter of rights, etc to fight this. It's reassuring to me that there are Israelis who do not follow the extreme party line that currently holds power. Rather like Canadians who are embarrassed at Harper continually thumbing his nose at the UN.

[bud]

So much for the 'free market' concept. Where's the right wing who usually defends it?

Oh I see . . . The right wing defends the free market only until free choice impinges on their ideology. I trust the "academics" and others participating in boycotts will avail themselves fully of the law, their chapter of rights, etc to fight this. It's reassuring to me that there are Israelis who do not follow the extreme party line that currently holds power. Rather like Canadians who are embarrassed at Harper continually thumbing his nose at the UN.

to be fair, bob (yes, even though he has called for the ethnic cleansing of palestinians), stated that he thinks the law "is a step in the wrong direction"... then again, he followed it up with another justification by using "arabs societies are worse". but yeah, we have to find some positive.

[jacee]

to be fair, bob (yes, even though he has called for the ethnic cleansing of palestinians), stated that he thinks the law "is a step in the wrong direction"... then again, he followed it up with another justification by using "arabs societies are worse". but yeah, we have to find some positive.

yes i noticed that and it also reassures me that there is a range of opinion in Israel, not just the extreme hard line.

[Bob]

I'm not making excuses for or justifying anything. I'm pointing out, as has been done many times by many people in this forum, your hypocrisy on all issues regarding Israel. By the way, constantly using terms like "extremist" and "fascist" as descriptive terms of Israel doesn't do anything to strengthen your argumentation.

[Oleg Bach]

I'm not making excuses for or justifying anything. I'm pointing out, as has been done many times by many people in this forum, your hypocrisy on all issues regarding Israel. By the way, constantly using terms like "extremist" and "fascist" as descriptive terms of Israel doesn't do anything to strengthen your argumentation.

Firstly no one is really arguing here other than you. Israel has one bad trait that it has developed - they believe that offense and defense are the only options for survival. You would think that since 1946 they would have developed some skill in the art of making friends. There is a problem with being a Muslim..that the trend is to take an advesarial apporach to all others...Israel has the same trait. Besides...Moses was an interloping invader...who ousted the original inhabitants because GOD said that someone elses property was a gift to them. America ousted their original inhabitants because they could. This buisness that something belongs to you because your great great great great grandfather own it AT ONE TIME.

What about the crack heads that suffer poverty in the core of Toronto - THEIR grand parents built the nation...yet the decendants are trampled under foot. Frankly I do believe in inheritance - and also believe that if a slave makes you rich - you are duty bound to take care of that slaves family forever if neccesary.

[Saipan]

Bud:

all said, you made some progress. you were able to acknowledge that the law is a step in the wrong direction, even though you tried to excuse it by comparing it to 'arab societies'.

But you didn’t make progress. What’s wrong with boycotting the boycotters?

[Oleg Bach]

The next generation of Israelis will totally change the scene...once the old guard is gone - all will be better....the kids have learned from the mistakes of their parents - that you can not stay paranoid for eternity and expect to have a full life.

[bud]

But you didn’t make progress. What’s wrong with boycotting the boycotters?

looks like you don't know what this law is:

an individual or organisation proposing a boycott may be sued for compensation by any individual or institution facing possible damage as a result. Evidence of actual damage will not be required.

It bans consumer boycotts of goods and services produced in West Bank settlements and the blacklisting of cultural and academic institutions in settlements. It also bars the government from doing business with companies that comply with boycotts.

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