Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill (Anti-Boycott Bill)

The report by the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) critically examines the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill, which aimed to restrict public bodies in the UK from participating in boycott campaigns, particularly those targeting Israel. This legislation would have effectively created a permanent ban on public authorities from boycotting Israel, thereby undermining the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The ICJP highlights the bill's implications for civil liberties, specifically its potential to infringe on freedom of expression and to centralise decision-making power within the government, limiting local authorities' autonomy to act on human rights issues.

Additionally, the report underscores the legal complexities posed by the bill, noting that public bodies could inadvertently breach international law by engaging with companies involved in Israeli settlements, which the UK government recognizes as illegal. The ICJP criticizes the exclusion of Palestinian voices during the bill's committee stage, arguing that this omission risks skewing the legislative process and perpetuating anti-Palestinian sentiment. Ultimately, the report warns that the bill could undermine public sector compliance with human rights standards and create a chilling effect on advocacy for Palestinian rights in the UK.