DUP say the BDS boycott movement is a convenient cover for people wanting to 'demonise all Jewish and Israeli people'

The legislation would ban public bodies like councils from refusing to invest in – or procure services from – foreign states. It is a response to some local authorities backing a campaign to boycott Israel over the Gaza war.

Certain councils – such as Derry City and Strabane – have formally backed the Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) campaign for years.

DUP Deputy Leader Gavin Robinson said it is a sad indictment of UK society in the 21st Century that anti-BDS legislation is considered to be necessary.

The East Belfast MP said: “The BDS movement may present itself as legitimate, non-violent protest, but the language and actions used mean it has become inherently anti-Semitic. The BDS movement uses language like ‘settler colonist’ and ‘supremacists’ to refer to aspects of Israeli action or policy. Such actions and language mean the movement is focused on the Jewish people as much or more than it is on the state of Israel.

“BDS also carefully avoids referencing the fact that companies like Amazon, Google, Facebook and Microsoft have operations or research and development facilities in Israel. The movement cannot actually succeed on any kind of significant scale in stopping Israeli goods and commerce, but if it did then it would have a direct impact on mobile phone technology, ophthalmic care and a whole host of other areas.

"The BDS movement provides a convenient cover for those who don't simply wish to criticise the state of Israel, but for those who wish to demonise all Jewish and Israeli people."

However, Alliance MP Stephen Farry said the bill is “an authoritarian assault on civil liberties in terms of restricting capacity of public bodies to take ethical decisions”.

The North Down MP said: "It has been designed to shield Israel from criticism. The Bill becomes particularly sinister and cynical in light of current events in Gaza and the West Bank."

The bill passed its latest stage in the House of Commons on Wednesday despite a rebellion by a small section of the moderate wing of the Conservative Party. It was brought forward by the levelling up secretary Michael Gove.

SDLP MPs also voted against the Economic Activity of Public Bodies bill at its latest stage – arguing it would restrict the ability of councils to take positions of conscience on the behaviour of foreign governments and prevent them taking part in the ‘BDS’ campaign against Israel.

Leader Colum Eastwood said that the bill “breaches international law, restricts free expression and undermines the long standing cross-party support for a two state solution between Israel and Palestine”.