Human Rights Advocates Criticize Law Banning Supporters of Sanctions from Entering Israel

The approval of a law prohibiting the entry of supporters of sanctions against Israel on Monday, March 6, has sparked a wave of reactions from human rights groups and opponents. Critics of this new law have labeled it a form of 'thought policing' and argue that it tarnishes Israel's international image. According to AFP, this law was passed with the support of ministers and supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government in the Israeli parliament. The enactment of this law is a response to the 'Boycott Israel Movement,' which calls for an end to 50 years of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. Israel interprets this movement as a 'strategic threat' and labels its supporters as anti-Semitic, an accusation that activists of this movement have rejected. The law has been enacted in line with Israel's recent actions 'to target left-wing NGOs,' and human rights groups claim it could impact their activities. Israel has faced various sanctions for years, but in recent years, the Boycott Israel Movement has intensified pressure with support from prominent figures like Roger Waters, the famous British singer of Pink Floyd. In response, Israeli politicians backed by Netanyahu's coalition government, the most right-wing faction in the country's history, have taken serious measures against the pressures. Last year, Israel allocated $32 million, equivalent to 30 million euros, to combat this movement. This bill, which was passed with a vote of 46 to 28 in the Israeli parliament, stipulates that those who 'explicitly support the boycott of Israel or declare their intention to participate in the sanctions' will not be granted visas or residency permits. This law applies to those who are not Israeli citizens, do not have permanent residency, and are members of pro-boycott groups. A Jewish group supporting the boycott movement compared this law on Tuesday, March 7, to Donald Trump's immigration order in the U.S., which bans citizens from six predominantly Muslim countries, including Iran, from entering the U.S. However, Israel's Minister of Public Security defended the law on Tuesday, stating, 'Every country has the right to determine who crosses its borders.'