The Austrian parliament on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution rejecting the Boycott, Divestment Sanctions movement and all forms of anti-Semitism, including anti-Israeli anti-Semitism.
The resolution, initiated by Austria's ex-chancellor and head of center-right Austrian People's Party Sebastian Kurz, leaves the door open to fact-based criticism of Israel's individual actions, but stresses that the country's right to exist is non-negotiable.
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Under the resolution, the BDS movement is condemned as anti-Semitic on the basis of its support for the universal right of return for descendants of Palestinian refugees -- and thus, questions the Jewish State's right to exist.
Just now sharply condemned BDS movement (boycott against Israel) in the Austrian Parliament UNANIMOUSLY and stated that BDS in Austria should not be supported in any way. A strong and symbolic statement by the Austrian Parliament against anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism.
— Martin Engelberg (@mengel999) February 27, 2020
With the resolution now passed as a law, the Austrian government is supposed to withhold federal funds from and avoid cooperation with anti-Semitic organisations and individuals, including BDS advocates.
It is also expected to develop a comprehensive strategy on tackling anti-Semitism.
Martin Endelberg, a lawmaker with the Austrian People's Party, tweeted that the vote came as "a strong and symbolic statement by the Austrian Parliament against anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism."
Israel's Foreign Minister Iisrael Katz applauded the move as a "decisive statement" that could serve as an example for other European nations and the world.
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement is an international campaign promoting various forms of boycott against Israel over its alleged mistreatment of the Palestinians. The movement seeks to pressure Israel in three principal ways: boycotting Israeli goods, universities and cultural institutions; divesting from companies that provide vital equipment to the Israeli military; and urging countries to slap sanctions on Israel. The campaign is organized and coordinated by the Palestinian BDS National Committee.
This article was originally published by i24NEWS
