Israeli rightwing parties and leaders once more destroy Israeli democracy. Once more they reject Voltaire’s words: “I wholly disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it”

The proposal for the “boycott law”, currently placed before the Knesset, contradicts the meaning of freedom of speech – i.e. political freedom of criticism. The proposed law Imposes sanctions on political protest; attacks democracy; harms each citizen’s right to criticize the government’s policy and attempts to change it.

In line with other anti-democratic laws, adopted in Israel in the last years, this boycott proposal means, for example, that a call by Israeli citizens – Jews or Arabs – for a boycott against a product that has its origins in a certain settlement, as a protest against settlements in general, will be liable to a civil suit which, in turn, would entitle the suing party to considerable compensation – without having to prove harmful doing. Moreover, if one were to trespass said boycott law, there is a chance that he faces criminal charges.

The new law is harmful for Israeli democracy, because its only real purpose is – the silencing of political criticism, aimed at the Netanyahu’s policy, and silencing the left wing parties and peace organizations.