Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner MP
At this evening’s third reading of the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill, Labour’s deputy leader and shadow levelling up secretary, Angela Rayner MP, set out how the party “completely opposes” the campaign to boycott, disinvest and sanction Israel.
Rayner said: “Let me start by making clear that the Labour party completely opposes a policy of boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel. It is in everyone’s interest that we find a way forward to address a genuine problem. Never has that been as important as it is now, at a time of heightened tensions, fear and distress both at home and abroad.”
“There is a difference between applying consistent ethical principles and legitimate criticism of foreign Governments, and what some have tried to do by targeting just one individual state—for example, the world’s only Jewish state—or, worse, using the cover of these issues to whip up prejudice or discrimination. That is completely wrong.”
You can read the full debate here.