Israel anti-boycott bill decision to be taken in Oxford

A motion has been brought forward to Oxford City Council by Northfield Brook Ward councillor Dr Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini, which calls on the authority to "stop the anti-boycott bill".

The bill is a controversial piece of governmental legislation which would prevent public bodies, including councils, from boycotting countries such as Israel.

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Russia and Belarus are exempt from the ban under the bill, with communities secretary Michael Gove saying the government's approach seeks to "stand up for what is right" and counter "anti-Semitism".

Oxford Socialist Independents councillor, Dr Djafari-Marbini, said: "The anti-boycott bill is a major attack on local democracy which seeks to prevent public bodies from making ethical choices about spending or investment.

Councillor Dr Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini. (Image: Oxford City Council.)

"If passed, it would prevent Oxford City Council from choosing to cut financial ties with companies known to be engaged in human rights violations or environmental destruction around the world.

"Had it been in place during the 1980s, for instance, it could have forced local authorities like Oxford City Council, as well as our two universities, to do business with the racist apartheid regime in South Africa."

Discussion comes amid the death toll in Gaza surpassing 25,000 in the wake of ongoing conflict with Israeli leaders aiming to "wipe Hamas off the face of the earth".

Oxford Town Hall (Image: Ed Nix)City councillor Chris Jarvis, who is leader of the Green Party Group and seconder of the motion, said: "Ethical boycotts have played a major role in some of the most important movements for social change in history.

"Universities, local councils and other public bodies participating in boycotts were a key plank of the global movement that brought down apartheid in South Africa. 

"This bill must be stopped, and local councils indicating that they want it blocked is an important part of the resistance to it.

"I hope that councillors agree to put aside party differences to support this motion wholeheartedly."

Councillor Chris Jarvis. (Image: Oxford City Council.)

Dr Djafari-Marbini added: "Oxford is an outward-looking city and is proud of its strong international links.

"Many people in Oxford care deeply about human rights and the environment, and would be horrified to think of their money being used in unethical ways.

"Oxford and our residents have longstanding links to Palestine via cultural, educational and medical links hence being twinned with Ramallah.

"Some of my medical colleagues, Prof Maynard and Dr Harrington, recently returned from Gaza where they witnessed the systematic destruction of the healthcare system by the Israeli forces.

"Thousands of our residents have attended protests, vigils and signed petitions demanding an end to the violence."

The motion asks the council leader to issue a public statement condemning the anti-boycott bill and write to UK government Party leaders calling on them to express their opposition.

Oxford City Council has been contacted for comment.