The Israeli government released a report yesterday claiming to reveal close links between the Palestinian-led boycott, divestment and sanctions movement and militant groups.
The report into the BDS movement came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a weekly webcast to “get rid of the fake from the news” ahead of elections in April.
Israel’s Strategic Affairs Ministry, which leads the country’s efforts against the BDS movement, said it uncovered extensive connections between pro-boycott groups and activists affiliated with Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
The 80-page report claims several dozen current or former members of the Palestinian groups, both designated terrorist organisations by the US, EU and Israel, are involved in BDS activity through Palestinian and international NGOs.
“We have always seen indications of connections between BDS groups and designated terrorist organisations,” Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan said. “What we discovered surprised even us.”
Most of the cases were based on accusations of affiliation or expressions of sympathy for militant groups, in some instances connected to acts that took place years ago. A female Palestinian legislator cited in the report, for instance, has been jailed for a year without being charged. At least two people on the list have received international recognitions for their human rights work.
Read the article in The Australian.