It’s reckless for Israel to shut out critics

GEOFF SIFRIN

That is what Israel’s supporters call for – genuine debate, even with opponents. Their posters urged: “Go to Israel and see for yourself.”

Which makes it strange that the Knesset passed a new law last week banning entry to Israel for foreign nationals who call for economic, cultural or academic boycotts of Israel or areas under its control, including the West Bank.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the far-right Jewish Home party, said it will help Israel defend itself against those “who wish it harm”.

This entry ban symptomises the chasm between the current government’s resolve to keep control over the West Bank, and Diaspora Jews and others who want to end the occupation. It also echoes intense internal debate in Israel over the issue.

Supposedly designed to oppose BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions), the new law doesn’t distinguish between people boycotting Israel proper and those boycotting settlements.

It doesn’t define who Israel’s enemies are. Many pro-Israel Jewish activists against the occupation could potentially be labelled “enemies”. Boycotts against settlements are gaining ground worldwide. MK Dov Hanin, who voted against the new law, said disparagingly that it is “a law to boycott the world”.

The foolishness of the law is palpable. Former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe was a keynote speaker at BDS’ launch of IAW last Sunday at Constitution Hill. Might he now be barred entry to Israel to “see for himself” because he supported a BDS function?

Jews can be proud of Israel’s achievements – economically, technologically, militarily and diplomatically.

It remains the United States’ staunchest ally; ties to India, China and other countries continue to grow. US chip giant Intel has just bought Israeli driverless technology firm Mobileye for a gigantic $14,9 billion, reportedly the largest ever acquisition of an Israeli hi-tech company.

Why does Israel act like an insecure country suppressing protest against government policies?

Essentially, the extreme settlement-supporting right, which is a minority, has taken control of the government and is acting with reckless abandon, spurred on by what they believe is unqualified support from US President Donald Trump.

If unchecked, it will lead to a one-state outcome and eliminate Zionism’s goal of a democratic Jewish state. Most Israelis want a two-state solution.

American Jewish bodies such as the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League, condemn the new law. Academics staunchly fighting academic boycotts of Israel, fear it will damage links between Israeli academics and those elsewhere.

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel says it violates democracy “in that it sets a political position as a reason to prevent foreigners from entering Israel and occupied territory”.

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of America’s largest Jewish movement – Reform Judaism – said the law will be “a giant sign up by the door of the Jewish state: ‘Don’t come unless you agree with everything we’re doing here’.”

In South Africa, supporters of Israel have organised numerous successful trips, taking a wide range of journalists, politicians and others to Israel to “see for themselves”. Participants did not necessarily come back pro-Israel, but were exposed to perspectives from all sides.

The new law could mean potential participants would have to be vetted to ensure they have never called for a boycott of Israel or the settlements, or they won’t be allowed in.

When students at next year’s Israel Apartheid Week at Wits denounce Israel, it might be futile for supporters of Israel to say: “Go to Israel and see for yourself”, because Israel could bar them entry. Let’s hope Israel’s High Court strikes down the law as unconstitutional – which it probably will. 

Read Geoff Sifrin’s regular columns on his blog sifrintakingissue.wordpress.com