MKs to explain dangers of BDS to British MPs

Farkash-Hacohen: This is a new type of antisemitism

Two members of the now dispersed Knesset will meet in London on Monday with members of the British Parliamentary Israel Allies Caucus to discuss the dangers of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and how European Union labeling regulations against Israeli products produced in the West Bank is tantamount to antisemitism.

MKs Sharren Haskel (Likud) and Orit Farkash-Hacohen (Blue and White) will attend the meeting, representing the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus (KCAC).

For almost five years, Israeli products produced in the West Bank have been clearly labeled as such. The EU considers the territories to be occupied, and instituted the regulation to avoid misleading consumers. Israeli politicians from the Right and Left have leveled criticism against the EU for this practice, saying it amounts to antisemitism.

“The BDS movement and the labeling laws are old antisemitic agendas disguised in new colors,” Farkash-Hacohen said, noting that the meeting will be “very significant, as we are taking a stand against the continuous rise of hatred against the Jewish people and the State of Israel within Europe, together with European Parliament members.”

Haskel added, “We will work side-by-side in order to devise tactics to combat the BDS movement throughout European countries.”

The two MKs will meet with allies, such as MP Mark Pritchard, chairman of the British Parliamentary Israel Allies Caucus, who said he hopes to use the July 1 meeting to “underline the wrongfulness and sinister nature of the BDS movement, as well as garner support to fight it, not only in the UK but throughout the EU.”

In addition to the parliamentary meetings, local Jewish and Christian leaders will use Haskel and Farkash-Hacohen’s visit to host a dinner reception with discussions centering on these same topics. That dinner is being sponsored by the pro-Israel Jerusalem Channel television program.

“This event highlights the best of what we can accomplish through faith-based diplomacy,” said KCAC director Josh Reinstein. “We anticipate that this event will invigorate our network of supporters in the UK to strengthen their commitment to stand by the State of Israel and reject all forms of antisemitism, even when they are disguised as anti-Zionism.”