Minister Gilad Erdan is interested in compiling a database of Israelis who support the BDS (Boycott, Divest & Sanctions) movement against Israel, Haaretz reports. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit remains adamantly opposed, explaining the minister lacks legal authority to compile such a database.

Erdan, who is Minister of Public Security, also serves as Minister of Strategic Affairs and his office is responsible for coordinating a plan against BDS efforts. Haaretz quotes “three senior officials” who are familiar with the matter stating he is working to compile a database on citizens supporting and assisting BDS and he has conferred to with Justice Ministry officials towards this end.

Erdan plans to obtain information from pubic sources, primarily Facebook and Twitter, information that is available to anyone wishing to collect it but the nation’s top legal official insists creating a database is beyond the scope of the minister’s authority.

One source explains that the minister is not expecting to collect a database on all who support the movement, targeting “significant activists” only but Mandelblit is adamant in his opposition despite the fact this may only number several dozen individuals.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)