Yisrael Beitenu party leader MK Avigdor Lieberman is pushing a bill that would cut funding for Knesset parties that speak out in support of efforts to boycott Israel.

The bill states that a party that openly proclaims its support for any form of a boycott, either in writing, advertising or otherwise, such a party should no longer be entitled to funding. The MK’s bill, his first in a number of years, is based on the law that prohibits actions intended to harm the State of Israel.

Lieberman explains there can be no doubt that anyone calling for or supporting any type of boycott against Israel harms the state. He adds that while Israel is fighting BDS efforts, which could have a significant impact on Israel, it would be appropriate for the state to stop funding organizations that lend their support to one boycott or another.

Adding to this, the so-called “anti-Israel” boycotts according to Lieberman are nothing more than a modern version of yesterday’s anti-Semitism. He feels using the boycott tool is “despicable and abysmal” as was the anti-Semitism endured in the past for anyone with an understanding of Jewish history.

Yisrael Beitenu points out that the Hadash party is a component of the Joint Arab List and it openly supports boycotting “settlement goods” as does Meretz.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)